Midleton College, school in County Cork (CO076-108----)

On E side of Midleton town, standing in its own grounds; H-shaped building of two storeys over semi-basement; hipped slated roof throughout. Plain string course, between ground and first floors, and cornice under roof, common to all elevations. Entrance front, facing W, of 9 bays; 3 end-bays to left and right form break-front projection. In both projections central bay is blocked. Central bay, with entrance door, projects slightly; plain cut-stone surround to door extends upwards to frame first floor occulus.Over door inscription: "Midleton College, founded 1696". Bays flanking door have tall round headed windows at ground level with circular windows overhead. Rear elevation, facing E, mirrors this arrangement but with door at basement level. Side elevations of eight bays each with central four bays brought slightly forward. Fine stone gateway with corniced piers topped by balls, at entrance to college from town. Founded and endowed by Elizabeth Villiers; the building was completed in 1717 (Quane 1952, 14) as a free school for Protestants. Smith (1750, vol. 1, 145) describes it as 'an elegant building, composed of one main structure and two returns'. By 1791 the school was 'in a very unsatisfactory state (Quane ibid, 21);closed in 1821 when 'school buildings were allowed to deteriorate into ruins, except one wing, inhabited by the Master' (ibid, 22). Reconstructed 1827-9 (ibid, 23); wing added to N side in 1878 (ibid, 26; see drawing facing 26). Core of building as built in early 18th century but internal fittings and roof of later date; still functions as school.