St. Patricks Training College — Unknown Townland

St. Patrick's Training College incorporates Belevedere House, a 17th century house with 18-19th century additions. The Civil survey (1654-6) describes the former as a 'faire brick house, slated on the lands of James Bath of Drumconragh, at Drishoge' (Simington 1945, 180). This was the seat of the Coghill family, Sir John Coghill, Master in Chancery, resided here in the late 17th century (Joyce 1912, 256-257). In 1725 Belvedere house was leased to Henry Singleton, a Drogheda lawyer who undertook a programme of building and renovation including the addition of a drawingroom at the rear of the building (Ó'Ceallaigh 1975, 14). The present building is two storey, 7 bay, over sunken basement with a break front, and 2 bay thick in back. Built of an inner and outer wall of brick with a rubble core (T. 0.60m). Brickwork is 17th century to first floor level when it changes indicating that the first floor was re-built or is probably a later addition. The mountain granite quions are also more widely spaced at first floor level to incorporate the larger brick. Belvedere House is lit by flush sash windows with moulded sills that are pre- 1730 (flush sash windows were made illegal in the 1720's and were out of fashion by 1730 because they resulted in wood decay). The front balustrade was added at the turn of the 18th century probably to replace a pediment. Hall and chambers in the front retain a number of original 17th century features, including bolection panelling dating to c. 1660's, tall doorways, relatively thin doors and pannelling over windows with window seats. A drop beam running across the ground floor ceiling maybe the original roof joist. The rear of the house was modified in the 18th century to incorporate a staircase and circular roof light. The upper floor contains two suites of rooms with plain and decorated cornices of early 18th century date. Belvedere House compares favourably with the 17th century phase of Eyrecourt Castle, Co. Galway (O'Connell & Loeber 1988, 40-48). Compiled by : Geraldine Stout Upload date: 06 June 2012