Could former school become the centrepiece of Navan's cultural quarter?

The old St Patrick's Classical School is to be restored as a County Archive, as part of Navan's planned cultural quarter.

The council has started the planning process for the development which will form part of an overall plan for that area, including the old county council lands at Railway Street. Fears for the iconic building were intensified last summer, when the roof fell in sparking fears that the structure could collapse altogether.

Fears for the iconic building which built between 1837-42 and is affectionately known as Powers Duck Egg were intensified last summer, when the roof fell in sparking fears that the structure could collapse altogether.

Stabilisation works have since taken place and the council are now pushing ahead with plans for a county archive.

Local archaeologist and Navan Historical Society member, Clare Ryan welcomed the news; “Navan & District Historical Society are very encouraged by the news that St Patrick’s Classical School and former St Finian’s Diocesan Seminary study hall will be conserved and restored for public use. Much credit goes to Architect Paul Leech and researcher Vincent Mulvany for highlighting the importance of this historic building.

“The building is affectionately known as Power’s Duck Egg and is so called after its former patron Rev Nicholas Power and the structure’s unique elliptical shape, which is unlike any other building in the country from the time.

“The building was the study hall of St Finian’s Diocesan Seminary up to 1908 and later a post-primary school until the 1970s, after which it was used for light industry.”

Cllr Eddie Fennessy said he was glad to see things move forward with the site at last.

“It’s great news for Navan and the council’s plan to develop a cultural quarter in the area.

“The restoration of the old Study Hall is a particularly exciting part of the council’s plan. It’s dimensions, age and history make it one of the quirkier buildings in Navan. I’m really looking forward to it being brought back into use as a county archive and civic space.”

Cllr Tommy Reilly said he was delighted to see the building being brought back to life but was disappointed that the council hadn’t consulted with adjacent landowners which could have seen it integration into the surrounding area with steps down onto Academy Street.

Plans to house a Meath archive in the building were outlined in 2018.

Grainne Shaffrey of Shaffrey and Associates told a meeting of Navan Municipal District Council 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.

She explained at the time that the archive would hold all the records of a county, including county council records and also some of the archive material from the milling industry. “The Meath Chronicle may have material they would want to deposit in it,” she said.

Ms Shaffrey said a sad example of the kind of records stored in such an archive included the records of the Tuam babies and in Drogheda, an ‘Historic Town Atlas’ was being developed using information from archived material.

A spokesperson for Meath County Council said temporary stabilisation works to protect the structure of the building were completed in 2021.

She said the Part 8 planning application for its use as a county archive have been put on display  until 9th June. Full details of the Part 8 proposals are available to view on the Council website www.meath.ie or in person at Buvinda House or Navan Library Railway Street.

Any submissions must be made by 22nd June.