• Really Nice Rock Garden At Maynooth College
• The Patrick Corish Memorial

I REALLY LIKE THIS WALLED GARDEN

THE LEGACY CATALOG

* In The Year 2008 * In The Year 2011 * In The Year 2017 * Henrietta Back In 2010

The construction of Rhetoric House and Logic House in the early 1830s established what became known as the Junior House complex. Seeking to provide a tranquil relief from the surrounding academic architecture, the adjacent "Junior House Gardens" were developed, tracing their layout back to an original outline of Riverstown Lodge on a map dated 1809. The grounds were later rejuvenated in the 1930s under the presidency of the late Cardinal D’Alton, who initiated the garden's most distinctive horticultural feature: the rock garden.

• While frequently confused in casual accounts with the nearby College Cemetery—with both spaces occasionally misidentified under the umbrella term of "the walled garden"—the Junior House Gardens remain an entirely distinct sanctuary.

• The quarter-acre alpine haven owes much of its modern character to Monsignor Patrick Corish (1921–2013). A native of Ballycullane parish in County Wexford and a priest of the Diocese of Ferns, Corish was a distinguished Irish historian, author of The Irish Catholic Experience, and a former President of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. He served for many years as the Professor of Ecclesiastical History, succeeding Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich.

• Upon his retirement, Monsignor Corish found sanctuary in his lifelong passion for alpine botany. Joining the Alpine Garden Society in 1984, he dedicated decades to raising delicate specimens from seed, transforming the 1930s rockery into a premier alpine delight. Today, the garden features a unique memorial sculpture honouring his dual legacy as a scholar and a plantsman. Though the stone rockery itself remains beautifully maintained, its associated water feature has unfortunately fallen into neglect, hinting at a quiet phasing out of the original aquatic element.

• Monsignor Corish passed away in 2013 and is buried in the nearby College Cemetery. His rich academic legacy continues to be honoured through the annual Monsignor Patrick J. Corish Lecture hosted by the College.

THE MEMORIAL AND THE ARTIST

• The memorial sculpture honouring Patrick Corish in the college gardens of St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, is a unique and evocative tribute to his legacy as a scholar and educator.

• The Sculpture: Unveiled in May 2016, the sculpture is a stylised tree meticulously crafted from metal. The tree is shaped into the figures of an owl and a book, symbolising Corish's wisdom and his significant contributions to the field of ecclesiastical history through his scholarly work.

While artist Richie Clarke is renowned for his large-scale wood carvings, this particular sculpture showcases his versatility and mastery of different materials. The choice of metal lends a distinct permanence and strength to the artwork, reflecting the enduring nature of Corish's legacy within the college community.

• The Artist: Richie Clarke, a celebrated Irish artist known for his evocative wood carvings, often featuring animals and natural forms, demonstrates his artistic range in this unique metal sculpture. His work can be found in public and private collections throughout Ireland and internationally.

• Location:The sculpture is located in the college gardens, a peaceful and contemplative space that reflects Corish's dedication to learning and reflection. The placement of the memorial allows visitors to appreciate both the artistic merit of the sculpture and the contributions of the man it honours.

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A SELECTION OF HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTO GALLERIES

* Clontarf Railway Station * Docklands Railway Station * Malahide Railway Station