New library building, Áras an Phiarsaigh
Physical expansion of the College was needed to accommodate the increase in student numbers due, in part, to the extra year of the degree course.
By 1980, numbers had reached over 800, and included open competition students, university graduates and mature students. A major complex was built that contained an attractively designed library with attendant offices, a 300-seat lecture theatre, audio-visual resource area, TV and communications studio, specialist and seminar rooms, student lounge and an impressive entrance and concourse area.
Eight hundred students were registered on the B Ed degree programme - the largest numbers since the foundation of the College.
Architect's Comment (John Quinn)
The brief was taken in 1974 and design work commenced in 1975. Work commenced on site in spring 1977 with a completion date of July 1979. Subsequent delays lead to completion date being extended to November 1979. Further delays in provision of furniture and fitting out prevented full use until autumn of the following year.
The building design is a response to the particular site which falls from south to north, to existing buildings of various architectural styles and to the presence of mature trees.
The building is designed as a series of spaces on various levels which flow between strong vertical elements.
Client Comment (Sr Loreto)
In 1976 student enrolment in Mary Immaculate College was increased by 250 to meet the extension of the Primary teacher education course from a two year diploma course to a three year NUI degree course. the only additional academic accommodation available in that and the following two years was in the necessarily limited and unsatisfactory pre-fabricated buildings which were in use while we awaited the new block approved by the Department of Education. This new extension, known as Áras an Phiarsaigh and completed during the 1979 academic year, was welcomed with immense relief by students and staff.
Unnamed Student Comment
On becoming a member of the student body of Mary Immaculate College I vividly recall the first few days during which I attempted to acquaint myself with the locations of the various lecture halls and student facilities available to us. We were I discovered, to be the lucky group of students who would enjoy the increased facilities provided by the new building Áras an Phiarsaigh. This elegant structure, completed by a well landscaped lawn and looking over the City into the Shannon, command the attention of even the most unobservant eye. The building appeared to me as a splendid example of modern architecture which harmonised well with the existing edifice in which rang the voices of students and staff since 1898.
