County archive plan going ahead despite roof collapse

Ann Casey

Published: Fri 25 Jun 2021, 3:09 PM

Last updated: Fri 25 Jun 2021, 3:10 PM

Drone footage which shows the collapsed roof of the old St Finian's Study Hall in Navan has been described as devastating, amid fears it could cause the complete collapse of the building.

The unique oval shaped building is a protected structure, which is steeped in local history.

Recent footage shows the roof has collapsed, leading to fears, that the building, which is owned by Meath County Council could rapidly deteriorate further.

Local archaeologist and Navan Historical Society member, Clare Ryan said the news was devastating.

“The roof was intact up to a few years ago and the fear is this could really be the start of its decline,” she said.

The only photo of the Study Hall, St.Finian's when in use as a seminary building in 1904 before moving to Mullingar in 1908. Note central arches mentioned in text closed up, with window at top. The statue of the Blessed Virgin by Navan Sculptor Thomas Curry commissioned by Nicholas Power stood outside the Study Hall in its original tranquil location high on a hill surrounded by trees overlooking Academy St. was moved in 1908 to the Mercy Convent Athlumney until 2006 when erected in the grounds of St.Mary's RC Church, Trimgate St. Navan where it stands today. ( photoThe O'Growney Memorial Volume, Agnes O'Farrelly. MA 1904).

“It would be a shame to see if deteriorate any further”.

Cllr Eddie Fennessy said the old St. Pat's Study Hall is one of the oldest buildings in Navan.

“I'm shocked to see it in such a state of disrepair. I worked in a joinery down there for eleven years and know the building quite well.

"Over the past few years we were given presentations by Council detailing plans for the development of a county archive on the site to form part of a wider cultural quarter in Navan.

“My fear is that if the structure is not made safe it will collapse and be lost forever.

"From an architectural and local heritage perspective it would be tragic to lose the building. “I urge council to act immediately and save the structure before it is too late."

A spokesperson for Meath County Council said the Council's Facilities Management were carrying out works to collect and conserve the material from the collapsed roof. “In addition to this work, the building is being looked at to see if there are any other emergency works required to secure the building in the short term.”

She explained that for the longer term, the Council intends to appoint a design team within the next two weeks to design a new county archive in the historic building.

“Design work is then due to commence shortly afterwards and it is expected that planning permission for the County Archive will be applied for in 2022." Plans to house a Meath archive in the building were outlined by the council in 2018.

The proposal was part of a plan for the urban design for the Railway Street area of Navan.

The proposal is that the iconic building would be used to house the county archive, which could also be used for exhibitions and talks, and would be part of a cultural quarter which also includes the Solstice Arts Centre and the County Library.

The study hall, built in the 1840s for St Finian's Seminary was known to generations of schoolboys as ‘Power's Duck Egg’, after the headmaster who had it built. It was in this building that Michael Davitt was selected to run as the anti-Parnell candidate in the Meath by-election of 1892.

The seminary moved to Mullingar in 1908, and St Patrick's Classical School occupied the old St. Finian's Study Hall from 1930, until 1970, when it moved to its present location at Moatlands.