| The Manor of Clanagan 1806
- 1926 |
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Although the history
of the demesne can be traced back to the early
1640s, the remaining portion of Georgian architecture
which now forms the College Wing was part
of the 'Manor of Clanagan' built by Arthur
Innes as a family home.
Work commenced in 1806 and the Innes family
had taken up residence by Summer 1810. Arthur
died in 1820, but had left a magnificent memorial
to his genius and good taste with a beautifully
landscaped 300 acre demesne for his heirs.
Arthur's grandson, Arthur Charles Innes, eventually
came into the property and in 1859 decided
to set about making his home, now called 'Dromantine
House', even more stately and imposing.
The finished work was the graceful mansion
in lovely grounds, which the Society of African
Missions purchased in April 1926. |
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Manor
of Clanagan 1865 - 1926
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The Society of
African Missions, under the guidance
of Father Maurice Slattery, purchased
Dromantine to accommodate the ever increasing
amount of vocations and volume of administrative
work which had outgrown the Central
Administration centre in Cork.
Very soon it became apparent that the
ever-increasing numbers of students
could not be accommodated unless further
additions were made to the house. Lecture
halls and extra rooms for students were
needed, while the great drawing-room,
which had been fitted out to serve as
an oratory, became totally inadequate.
Under the careful planning of Father
Slattery, paying special attention to
a harmonious blend with the original
architecture, the work on the extension
commenced in November 1931 on St. Patrick's
wing which was built on the north side
of the house, and again in 1935, when
St. Brendan's wing was built on the
west side. The new chapel, which rose
at the end of this wing was solemnly
consecrated by Bishop Mulhern on 18
May 1937. St. Colman's wing with accommodation
for 62 students with study-bedrooms
and a new Assembly hall were opened
in 1959.
The house and centre have recently undergone
extensive renovations, completed in
June 2001. |
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