THIS WAS ONCE AN ARMY HUT
When I was photographing Duke's Harbour where the Train Station is located the Green Metal Hut caught my attention as it looked like the type of hut frequently used by Irish Customs along the border back in the 1950s and 1960s and maybe earlier. The other thing that caught my attention was Geraldine Hall especially as it is also a scouts hall.
There appears to be no connection between Geraldine Hall, now a Scout Hall, and the green metal hut that once housed various community groups. They are two distinct buildings with separate histories.
Duke’s Harbour 1796: Named after William, the 2nd Duke of Leinster, who diverted the Royal Canal to Maynooth in 1796 to transport coal and turf to Carton House. The canal declined in importance after the railway opened in 1848. The National Famine Way, (An tSlf), passes through Maynooth. In May 1847, 1,490 people, mostly families, embarked on a six-day journey from Strokestown Estate, Roscommon, to Dublin port and the famine ships. A third perished before reaching Quebec. The statues of little shoes along the way symbolise the children who made this journey.
Geraldine Hall 1859: Originally a Church of Ireland school for boys, built on the site of a school dating back to 1702. Declining numbers led to its closure in 1935. Today, it serves as the Scout Hall and is rumoured to have its own ghost. The Garda Síochána station at the end of the road replaced the Royal Irish Constabulary Barracks burned down in 1922.
The Green Metal Hut: This unassuming structure has a fascinating history. Originally an army hut from the Curragh Camp in Kildare, it was brought to Maynooth in 1932 by Edward, 7th Duke of Leinster, for the St. Mary's Brass and Reed Band. In 1943, they moved to a larger hall, and Macra na Feirme (Young Farmers Group) took over the hut. In 1964, the Irish Countrywomen's Association (ICA) purchased it, and it continues to be their home.
There appears to be no connection between Geraldine Hall, now a Scout Hall, and the green metal hut that once housed various community groups. They are two distinct buildings with separate histories.
Duke’s Harbour 1796: Named after William, the 2nd Duke of Leinster, who diverted the Royal Canal to Maynooth in 1796 to transport coal and turf to Carton House. The canal declined in importance after the railway opened in 1848. The National Famine Way, (An tSlf), passes through Maynooth. In May 1847, 1,490 people, mostly families, embarked on a six-day journey from Strokestown Estate, Roscommon, to Dublin port and the famine ships. A third perished before reaching Quebec. The statues of little shoes along the way symbolise the children who made this journey.
Geraldine Hall 1859: Originally a Church of Ireland school for boys, built on the site of a school dating back to 1702. Declining numbers led to its closure in 1935. Today, it serves as the Scout Hall and is rumoured to have its own ghost. The Garda Síochána station at the end of the road replaced the Royal Irish Constabulary Barracks burned down in 1922.
The Green Metal Hut: This unassuming structure has a fascinating history. Originally an army hut from the Curragh Camp in Kildare, it was brought to Maynooth in 1932 by Edward, 7th Duke of Leinster, for the St. Mary's Brass and Reed Band. In 1943, they moved to a larger hall, and Macra na Feirme (Young Farmers Group) took over the hut. In 1964, the Irish Countrywomen's Association (ICA) purchased it, and it continues to be their home.
THIS WAS ONCE AN ARMY HUT