Walking Tour of Ranelagh with Sally Corcoran and Marie Carew

The Historical Walking Tour of Ranelagh will begin at the Triangle in Ranelagh (in front of Centra), each group of 25 will have a fascinating guided walk around the village. The tour encompasses the numerous historical sites and important buildings in the Ranelagh area, as well as learning about some of the interesting social aspects of life through the ages.

This tour offers a unique opportunity to visit this awardwinning primary school in the company of its designer, architect and local resident Sheila O'Donnell of O'Donnell and Tuomey Architects. The school, completed in 1998, was awarded the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (RIAI) triennial gold medal in 2005 for the best building completed in Ireland during the period 1998-2000.

The school was designed in consultation with local residents and conservation groups, and is a wonderful example of how a modern functional building can be incorporated into an established historic area. The 8-classroom school is made up of internal and external spaces that interlock to make one block of interdependent components. The yellow-brick exterior of the building is particularly sensitive to the colour and character of the surrounding Georgian terraces. It is a fantastic achievement for the architects and a great coup for the village of Ranelagh that the school has won the most prestigious prize for architecture that can be awarded in Ireland.

With Father Paul Freeney

The parish of the Holy Name is 100 years old this year. The tour will concentrate on the history and interior of the Church of the Holy Name. It was designed by architects Messrs. William H. Byrne and Son, and formally opened on 28th June 1914. The interior is elaborately decorated with marble and mosaic, and there are many fine stained glass windows.

With Dermot James

This event will cover the history of the parish of Sandford and its church, celebrating its 180th birthday this year. The tour offers a unique opportunity to view the interior of one of the architectural treasures of Ranelagh and to see the wonderful stained glass window, depicting St. Peter and St. Paul, designed by Harry Clarke in 1927.