Presentation Convent Building, Cathedral Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
The Presentation Sisters, first founded by Nano Nagle in 1775, have been involved in education here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary since 1817, where they have dedicated their religious order to serving the people of Thurles and its environs, by providing outstanding primary and secondary education, grounded within the Presentation ethos.
The above Convent building was erected in 1862, replacing six thatched houses which extended eastwards from Chapel Lane, today the current driveway into the Archbishops residence.
The small residential businesses which the above building replaced had been formerly owned by Patrick Loughlin (Bakery), Martin Clear (Grocery & Bakery), Thomas Tierney (Huckster or a seller of small wares), Edmond Ryan (Pub & Grocery) and John Headon (Shoe Maker). All latter houses had been in disrepair after previously being destroyed in the hurricane wind of January 6th 1839; the night of the Big Wind.
Interesting to note above the differences between todays image and the earlier picture, latter possibly taken in the early part of the 20th century.
Note, the high wall with its Palladian arch style entrance is gone replaced by a low wall with railings. Also, note the Palladian style, half-moon or eyebrow arched windows, prominent in the centre portion of the earlier building, have also been altered, as indeed have the original centre single sash windows. Some chimneys have also been removed.
Note: Palladian architecture was a neoclassical style of building design created by Andrea Palladio, an early 16th century Italian Renaissance architect, who was greatly influenced by Roman and Greek architectonics.
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