Masterplan Objective 07 – Nurturing Environment

Masterplan Objective 07 Nurturing Environment 07

Mary Immaculate College occupies two campuses, in Limerick and in Thurles, that benefit enormously from the fact that they were first established in the 19th century with the result that their landscape assets are very mature. In both locations, buildings site in a ‘parkland’ with many mature trees and landscape features. See: MIC 24 | Limerick Landscape Assets (Trees, Lawns and Green areas) p67

The Limerick campus is largely made up of an amalgamation of former demesnes set in what is known as ‘villa landscape’ . One of these, Summerville House, is now a college building as is its Gate Lodge – evidence of the sweeping drive survives and the former front lawn is now the training pitch. Richmond House is also in the ownership of the College and the names of the other old residences live on today in street names.

The Thurles campus sits on extensive grounds with a formal tree lined avenue stretching from Cathedral Street to the main building to the north and expansive fields with a distinctly rural character extending to the south and west.

The principle objectives around nurturing the environment will consist of:

• Maintenance and renewal of the existing landscape character of the campuses as a key component of the College’s identity and image • Development of a coherent and varied series of landscaped open spaces that are integrated with building use and movement • Establishment of the relationships between key historic buildings and their respective landscape settings • Identification and protective of habitats to be found on the campuses

In terms of landscaped assets, the Masterplan sets out four distinct types which align with these objectives as follows:

Significant Tree Clusters As mentioned above, the Limerick campus is predominantly an amalgamation of former demesnes, each of which would have consisted a fine residence and associated grounds. The trees planted when these demesnes were established are now mature tree-stands and are a significant feature of the parkland campus. Indeed, the pattern of natural landscaping recorded on the Ordnance Survey maps of the late 19th century can still be observed in aerial photography of the Campus taken today. The Thurles campus dates from the establishment of St. Patricks College in 1837 and is similarly endowed with mature treestands, particularly along the approach avenue from Cathedral Street and around the campus boundaries to the south.

Work has been undertaken to survey the significant trees on the Limerick campus and their on-going preservation should be at the centre of landscaping strategy for MIC. A similar survey should be carried out on the Thurles Campus.