Page 27 - The Gonzaga Record 1985
P. 27
building was the most important and critical decision after the actual decision to
acquire the Bewley properties. The reason for its seriousness ought to be clear. The
type of new building would have an enormous influence on any subsequent
building programme. This was the first extension to the Bewley houses. A
serviceable, but plain, building now in such a prime position would surely dictate
all subsequent expansion. In spite of the debt it was decided to put up a very
handsome but expensive building. The frontage would be in cut granite stone; the
roof would be of copper sheet that in years would weather into a lovely green
shade; and the whole would be surmounted by a slender granite tower topped with
iron grille work. The architect was Mr Andrew Devane. Today, it forms the best
part of the school and gives it such a pleasing frontage. And it has set a high
standard for all subsequent buildings. The debt of this building was to weigh on the
school for many years. But it was worth it.
On 16 February 1956 the contract for the new building was signed with the
builders, Messrs John Sisk and Son, The first consignments of building materials
began to arrive on 27 February, and soon excavators were at work clearing the
site. On 3 March a noble beech tree was felled: this, happily, was the only large tree
that had to be sacrificed.
On 24 May 1956 the foundations and site preparation of the new hall were
sufficiently advanced to allow for the laying of the foundation stone. The stone and
plaque are sited at the foot of the tower, on the left as one enters the main school
door. The ceremony was arranged to take place on the Feast of Our Lady of the
Wayside, a title and feast day that was very dear to St Ignatius Loyola. The year
was also propitious, as 1956 was declared for Jesuits an Ignatian Year. It was the
four hundred anniversary of the beginning of the Jesuit Order, when a small group
of men, led and inspired by Ignatius Loyola, met together in a little chapel on Mont
Martyre in Paris to take their vows.
A real effort was made to give the moment some solemnity. At 11.0 am the boys
lined the avenue in front of the house, and the guests began to arrive. Community,
guests, and boys took up their positions as Very Rev. Fr Provincial, Fr Michael
O'Grady, SJ accompanied by acolytes and liturgical procession came to the site of
the ceremony. After the blessing and the laying of the foundation stone Very Rev.
Fr Provincial addressed those present.
Among those who attended the ceremony were the Rectors of Milltown Park
(Fr John MacMahon, SJ); Rathfarnham Castle (Fr Patrick Kenny, SJ); Bel vedere
College (Fr Redmond Roche, sJ) Leeson Street (Fr Roland Burke Savage, SJ); and
Very Rev. John Hooke, PP, Beechwood Church. The architects of the building
were represented by Messrs J. Robinson, A. Devane, and C. Squire. The
contractors were represented by John Sisk, and the chief engineer R. Donovan.
The Inscription on the stone reads:
A.M.D.G.
HIC LAPIS POSITUS EST DIE XXIV MAil ANNI IGNATIANI MCMLVI IN
FESTO BEATAE MARIAE A STRATA CUIUS TUTELLAE C OLLEG II BONUM
SPECIALI MODO COMMENDATUR* LAUS DEO SEMPER*
(This stone was laid on the 24 May 19 56, the Ignatian Year on the feast of Our
Lady of the Wayside, to whose care the good of the College is· especially
commended.)
19
acquire the Bewley properties. The reason for its seriousness ought to be clear. The
type of new building would have an enormous influence on any subsequent
building programme. This was the first extension to the Bewley houses. A
serviceable, but plain, building now in such a prime position would surely dictate
all subsequent expansion. In spite of the debt it was decided to put up a very
handsome but expensive building. The frontage would be in cut granite stone; the
roof would be of copper sheet that in years would weather into a lovely green
shade; and the whole would be surmounted by a slender granite tower topped with
iron grille work. The architect was Mr Andrew Devane. Today, it forms the best
part of the school and gives it such a pleasing frontage. And it has set a high
standard for all subsequent buildings. The debt of this building was to weigh on the
school for many years. But it was worth it.
On 16 February 1956 the contract for the new building was signed with the
builders, Messrs John Sisk and Son, The first consignments of building materials
began to arrive on 27 February, and soon excavators were at work clearing the
site. On 3 March a noble beech tree was felled: this, happily, was the only large tree
that had to be sacrificed.
On 24 May 1956 the foundations and site preparation of the new hall were
sufficiently advanced to allow for the laying of the foundation stone. The stone and
plaque are sited at the foot of the tower, on the left as one enters the main school
door. The ceremony was arranged to take place on the Feast of Our Lady of the
Wayside, a title and feast day that was very dear to St Ignatius Loyola. The year
was also propitious, as 1956 was declared for Jesuits an Ignatian Year. It was the
four hundred anniversary of the beginning of the Jesuit Order, when a small group
of men, led and inspired by Ignatius Loyola, met together in a little chapel on Mont
Martyre in Paris to take their vows.
A real effort was made to give the moment some solemnity. At 11.0 am the boys
lined the avenue in front of the house, and the guests began to arrive. Community,
guests, and boys took up their positions as Very Rev. Fr Provincial, Fr Michael
O'Grady, SJ accompanied by acolytes and liturgical procession came to the site of
the ceremony. After the blessing and the laying of the foundation stone Very Rev.
Fr Provincial addressed those present.
Among those who attended the ceremony were the Rectors of Milltown Park
(Fr John MacMahon, SJ); Rathfarnham Castle (Fr Patrick Kenny, SJ); Bel vedere
College (Fr Redmond Roche, sJ) Leeson Street (Fr Roland Burke Savage, SJ); and
Very Rev. John Hooke, PP, Beechwood Church. The architects of the building
were represented by Messrs J. Robinson, A. Devane, and C. Squire. The
contractors were represented by John Sisk, and the chief engineer R. Donovan.
The Inscription on the stone reads:
A.M.D.G.
HIC LAPIS POSITUS EST DIE XXIV MAil ANNI IGNATIANI MCMLVI IN
FESTO BEATAE MARIAE A STRATA CUIUS TUTELLAE C OLLEG II BONUM
SPECIALI MODO COMMENDATUR* LAUS DEO SEMPER*
(This stone was laid on the 24 May 19 56, the Ignatian Year on the feast of Our
Lady of the Wayside, to whose care the good of the College is· especially
commended.)
19
