Scoil Náisiúnta Naoimh Peadar agus Pól

Detached seven-bay (six-bay deep) two-storey national school, designed 1933; dated 1934, on a U-shaped plan centred on prostyle distyle pedimented Doric portico to ground floor; single-bay (single-bay deep) two-storey flat-roofed central return (north). Hipped slate roof on a U-shaped plan centred on flat roof (north), clay ridge tiles centred on Cross finial-topped copper-covered cupola, and replacement uPVC rainwater goods on thumbnail beaded moulded rendered cornice. Fine roughcast walls on moulded cushion course on rendered plinth with rendered panelled piers to corners. Square-headed central door opening behind prostyle distyle pedimented Doric portico with columns on plinths having responsive pilasters supporting ogee-detailed open bed pediment on dosserets, and moulded rendered surround centred on inscribed date stone ("1934") framing timber panelled double doors having overlight. Square-headed window openings (ground floor) with concrete sills, and moulded rendered surrounds centred on keystones framing replacement uPVC casement windows. Square-headed window openings (first floor) with concrete sills, and moulded rendered surrounds framing replacement uPVC casement windows. Set back from line of street with rendered piers to perimeter having shallow pyramidal capping supporting iron gate.

A national school erected to designs signed (1933) by Ralph Henry Byrne (1877-1946) of Suffolk Street, Dublin, representing an important component of the early twentieth-century built heritage of Athlone with the architectural value of the composition, one occupying the site of a 'church…built in 1804 by aid of a gift of £500 and a loan of £300 from the late Board of First Fruits [fl. 1711-1833]' (Lewis 1837 I, 88; see 15000023), confirmed by such attributes as the compact plan form centred on a pillared portico; the uniform or near-uniform proportions of the openings on each floor; and the eye-catching cupola recalling the campanili of the Byrne-designed Catholic Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (1932-9) in nearby Market Place (see 15000012).