Murray Lodge

Although now partially out of use, this fine former school building retains its original form and character. The symmetrical front elevation with projecting gable-fronted projections having canted bay openings and the ashlar bellcote over the central bay helps to create an attractive and quite picturesque composition. The hoodmouldings over the window openings and the grouped sash windows lend this building a muted Tudoresque architectural theme that is a relatively common feature in mid-nineteenth century national schools in Ireland, particularly those built by local landlords or as estate schools. It is robustly built in local rubble stone masonry with extensive cut stone and ashlar masonry throughout, particularly to the openings, bellcote and the canted bays that are clearly the work of skilled masons. This building also retains much of its early fabric, including timber sash windows and natural slate roofs that add to its architectural integrity and visual expression. This building was apparently constructed as two separate school buildings, one for boys and one for girls. This was a common feature of many Victorian national schools, reflecting the strict moral code and social thinking of the time. The male national school was originally opened on July 1st 1850 with the female national school opening on February 1st 1861. However, it is likely that the building was original designed as one entity. The form of this building suggests that the projecting end bays may also have been in use as accommodation for the schoolmaster and the schoolmistress (see below). This building was originally built at the expense of the (absentee) proprietor of Killybegs Horatio Granville Murray Steward, at a cost of £1,500. The original architect is not known. It replaced an earlier school for girls built in 1841 by Lady Ann, wife of Alexander Murray, the then proprietor of Killybegs. A John McConnell was the schoolmaster here in 1881 with Eliza Martin the schoolmistress, and the school was later described as a ‘mixed school’ in 1894 when a Jane Huston was the school mistress (both Slater’s Directory). This was the main school in Killybegs until the construction of the nearby Niall-Mor National School (see 40845017), which was established in 1879. The Murray National Schools apparently closed soon after the coming of Independence in 1922. This fine building is an important element of the built heritage and social history of Killybegs, and represents one of the most attractive examples of its type and date in Donegal. The attractive gateway and the simple boundary walls to site add to the setting and complete this fine composition.