Staff EmailHistory of St. Nathy’s College [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.
