Explore UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School

The UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is housed in a unique building with a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. Originally built as a church in the 1860s, the building was later converted into a hospital during World War I before eventually being acquired by UCD and transformed into its current form. In this blog post, we'll explore the history of the building, from its origins as a church to its present-day use as a world-class business school.

The original church was built in 1861, designed by architect J.J. McCarthy in the Gothic Revival style that was popular at the time. The church served as a place of worship for the local community until it was closed in the 1960s due to declining attendance. It remained empty for several years before being acquired by the Irish government and converted into a hospital during World War I. The hospital served as a treatment center for wounded soldiers returning from the front lines.

After the war, the building was used for a variety of purposes, including as a radio studio for the national broadcaster RTE. In the 1980s, the building was acquired by UCD, which was looking for a new home for its graduate business school. The university enlisted the help of architects Scott Tallon Walker to transform the building into a modern, functional space that would meet the needs of its students and faculty.

The renovation of the building was a major undertaking, requiring extensive work to modernize the building's infrastructure and adapt its interior spaces for its new use as a business school. The architects preserved many of the building's original features, including its stained glass windows, while adding modern touches such as a glass atrium that floods the building with natural light.

Today, the Michael Smurfit building is one of the most recognizable landmarks on the UCD campus. Its Gothic Revival exterior and modern, functional interior make it an ideal location for world-class business education. Its history as a church, hospital, and radio studio add to the building's unique character and make it a fascinating destination for visitors interested in the history of Ireland and its institutions of higher learning.

In conclusion, the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is housed in a building with a rich history that reflects the changing needs and priorities of Irish society over the past century. Its transformation from a church to a hospital to a business school is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the building and its inhabitants, and its current use as a world-class educational facility ensures that it will continue to play a key role in the academic and cultural life of Ireland for many years to come.

UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School

Carysfort Ave, Carrysfort, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

http://www.smurfitschool.ie/

017168934