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St Mary’s University College
St. Mary's Training College was the first teacher training college in Belfast. Designed by John O'Shea and E J Byrne the building was a fashionable mixture of several historical styles and opened in 1900 by the Dominican Sisters. They enrolled 100 women students at the time. Incidentally, the school next door is also called St Dominic’s, an all girls secondary school with a convent attached but run separately by the Dominican Sisters.
As their web site states: ‘For nearly 50 years after that, the college was concerned with the education of women students and their preparation for teaching in primary schools. In 1948, four-year courses for secondary teachers were introduced and, by arrangement with Queen's University, selected students could follow a combined course of university study and professional training.’
This antique chapel which is along a modern hall way used to have an entrance around the other side of the building. The atmosphere is unbelievably serene compared to just a few yards away from the busy Falls Road traffic. Dark, wooden furniture, no doubt original or at least almost as old as the chapel, sits underneath partially stained glass windows.
At the far end are these contemporary pieces depicting the Stations of the Cross. There are no details about the artist who created them.
Above this is a beautifully ornate and richly decorated stain glass window of octagonal shape in the middle of the wooden roof. The following two windows under the gaze of the balcony are equally worthy of artistic acclaim. The first one illustrates Noah’s Ark, St Joseph as a carpenter, and other religious symbols. The second one appears to be dedicated solely to Mary.
Upstairs in the choir stand offers a better view. There’s no information regarding the organ in the corner although it too looks to be comfortable within these old XX century walls.
Mass service is offered here during the week although it’s more for resident students than the public at large. It’s also only during the semester when everyone returns.
Turning left out of the chapel leads along another long hallway. This part was built between 1994 to 1996, as part of a major programme of building and refurbishment work. A new library, Learning Resource Centre, Science Department, Technology and Design Department and Physical Education Centre were added.
When fewer numbers of students attended education during the 1970s the government reacted by reducing the supply of teachers. For this reason the Catholic bishops decided to amalgamate St. Mary's and St. Joseph's which eventually led to St. Mary's University College in September 1985.
Previously in 1958 a new wing containing several large lecture theatres, an assembly hall, a gymnasium and art and science rooms was added for the growing numbers attending the College. The in 1973 another extension saw the addition of a language laboratory, tutorial and seminar rooms, a home economics unit, a dining hall, modern kitchens and a staff conference room.
Going upstairs now are offices and where clerical staff are based. Several rooms here are also used for exhibitions and meetings. The view from the windows here looks out on to the front lawns and car park.
In June 1996 the training college at Trench House closed its doors for the last time, and the entire College was relocated on the newly extended and enhanced Falls Road campus.
One other highlight in this building are the two stain glass windows on the stairway and facing on to a beautiful wooden banisters. There are two images, probably indicative of this learning centre as one depicts an author with scripture of some sort in his hand while the other depicts an artist holding a palette.
References
http://www.stmarys-belfast.ac.uk
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