Urban Exploration
Forgotten Splendour
Forgotten Splendour
Urban exploration (often shortened as urbex or UE) is the examination of the normally unseen or off-limits parts of urban areas or industrial facilities. This college is only about 15 minutes drive from me but this is the first time that I have actually visited it. It is a large country house boasting 50 bedrooms and 50 bathrooms.
It was built in 1827 and was sold to the African Missionary Brothers in 1908. They opened it as a secondary school or minor seminary to accommodate students preparing for the missionary priesthood. During that near 70-year period, between 400 and 500 pupils went on to be ordained to the missionary priesthood in the SMA. A number also went on to other seminaries and were ordained priests.
Thousands of young men from all over Ireland received their secondary schooling there until the mid-1970s, when the school was sold and became an agricultural college for a period.
I parked up right outside the main entrance. The front door was unlocked (that's handy) and I entered. Pretty much immediately, you can sense the atmosphere - not good, not bad - just abandoned and derelict - and exciting!
This place is big - it will take you quite a while to fully explore it. While many of the rooms are empty and non-descript, there are some gems to be found here, especially for photographers. There are many staircases and corridors that offer interesting opportunities, especially in the right light. The chapel is an excellent location - look out for the confessional boxes. Another beautiful location is this staircase.
Outside there were many outhouses that offer even more photographic opportunities - the stonework is beautiful. I visited this location on my own which added to the creepy experience.
This is definately a location I will visit again. I hope you enjoy my images of it.
It was built in 1827 and was sold to the African Missionary Brothers in 1908. They opened it as a secondary school or minor seminary to accommodate students preparing for the missionary priesthood. During that near 70-year period, between 400 and 500 pupils went on to be ordained to the missionary priesthood in the SMA. A number also went on to other seminaries and were ordained priests.
Thousands of young men from all over Ireland received their secondary schooling there until the mid-1970s, when the school was sold and became an agricultural college for a period.
I parked up right outside the main entrance. The front door was unlocked (that's handy) and I entered. Pretty much immediately, you can sense the atmosphere - not good, not bad - just abandoned and derelict - and exciting!
This place is big - it will take you quite a while to fully explore it. While many of the rooms are empty and non-descript, there are some gems to be found here, especially for photographers. There are many staircases and corridors that offer interesting opportunities, especially in the right light. The chapel is an excellent location - look out for the confessional boxes. Another beautiful location is this staircase.
Outside there were many outhouses that offer even more photographic opportunities - the stonework is beautiful. I visited this location on my own which added to the creepy experience.
This is definately a location I will visit again. I hope you enjoy my images of it.
