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HISTORY OF ST.
NATHY’S COLLEGE, BALLAGHADERREEN:
1810 – 2010. - [Page
6]
During the summer of 2007 the school was made
accessible for individuals with physical disabilities. This involved
the removal of steps as well as the addition of ramps on all ground
floors. A lift was also installed in the 1916 building. The
following summer extensive restoration work was, again, done on the
1916 building which had its paint work restored to the original
colour when built.
In December 2008, following extensive refurbishment, the College
Gate Lodge was leased to a local business and opened as a Coffee
Shop and Art Gallery. This was the first time the building was used
for over three decades. During that time it had lain derelict.
During the summer of 2009 extensive work was carried on upgrading
fire exits from all buildings, especially the older Barracks, 1916
and 1941 buildings. In addition, the Barracks was totally
refurbished and upgraded. Thus, after many years of being in disuse,
the building again became functional and provided much needed
additional conference, meeting rooms and classrooms.
In the summer of 2009 the College Oratory was repainted and had its
glass windows replaced with stained glass. The stained glass was
designed and made by Eugene Harrington of Demesne Glass of
Frenchpark. The new glass complimented the original Millennium
stained glass window erected in the Chapel sanctuary to mark and
commemorate the millennium. The Oratory was also adorned with a
commemorative sculpture in metal by local artist Sally McKenna. The
work, entitled “St. Nathy’s Oak” represented the connection between
the saint and the oak tree of Ballaghaderreen.
The summer of 2009 also saw the entire school campus being insulated
under an Energy Efficiency Scheme of the Department of the
Environment. This saw all attics being insulated as well as all
cavity walls being filled with insulating material.
Summer 2009 also saw the completion of a Bicentenary Commemorative
Garden in the quad in front of the Barracks building.
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