Early Beginnings
In 1997, the historic schoolhouse was transformed into a boutique hotel, seamlessly blending its rich past with modern amenities. Today, the Schoolhouse Hotel & Gastrobar stands as a charming testament to Dublin’s heritage, offering guests a unique and immersive experience in a setting that once nurtured young minds. Schoolhouse carries within its walls a tapestry of history that dates back to a time when learning was a cherished pursuit and the echoes of the past still whisper through its corridors. What stands today as The Schoolhouse Hotel began as the St. Stephen’s Parochial School. The foundations were laid, quite literally, for a place where young minds would find inspiration.
Beyond the sound of children’s laughter and dutiful lessons, the very design of this building was what first shifted minds and evoked creativity. Designed by two of the most famous architects in European history, this very site is testament to skill, craftsmanship and architectural brilliance.
The Architects of Schoolhouse
During the 19th century, two remarkable architects, John George Coppinger Deane and Benjamin Woodward, wove a story of reverence, nostalgia, and architectural brilliance through Dublin. Their legacy left an indelible mark on the city’s skyline.
John George Coppinger Deane, born in the scenic County Cork in 1829, embarked on a journey of architectural enlightenment that traversed the landscapes of England and Italy. This journey shaped his perspective, molding him into a prominent figure in the Gothic Revival movement. Deane’s architectural journey began alongside Pugin & Ashlin before fate led him to partner with the talented Benjamin Woodward. Benjamin Woodward, hailing from England in 1816, found his artistic soulmate in Deane amidst the bustling streets of Dublin. Their partnership blossomed, as Woodward’s meticulous craftsmanship and Deane’s visionary outlook blended seamlessly. Together, they set out to rekindle the grandeur of Gothic architecture.
Gothic architecture, an art form that calls back to the grandeur of the medieval era, served as the canvas upon which Deane and Woodward painted their masterpieces. This architectural style, characterised by its pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and intricate decorative elements like tracery and carvings, captured their imaginations and defined their creative journey. Creations made within this style evoke an almost spiritual tension. The mood captured through this design is often thought to be reaching for the heavens, creating mythical and magical buildings in its wake. It was their ability to connect this design to the hearts of the Irish that catapulted both Deane and Woodward to their fame; making every piece of land touched by their design – one of architectural significance.
Their masterpiece, the Museum Building at Trinity College Dublin, is a testament to their artistry. This gem stands tall with its elegant pointed arches and ornate stonework. Creating a beautiful home for the treasures of geology and zoology, a sanctuary of knowledge that defies the passage of time. The Kildare Street Club, another jewel in their portfolio, graces Dublin’s cultural heart. Its Gothic allure, expressed through soaring arches and intricate carvings, preserves the spirit of Victorian elegance. Their legacy transcends bricks and mortar. Deane and Woodward championed the Gothic Revival movement in Ireland, bridging the gap between past and present. Theirs was a commitment to honouring history while embracing the march of time.
The Creation of St. Stephen’s School – Our Schoolhouse
In our journey through their legacy, we encounter St. Stephen’s School on Northumberland Road, Dublin. Built in 1856 and completed in 1859, the Schoolhouse, now and then, embodies the very essence of the Gothic Revival. It showcases pointed arches, raised ceilings and creates the sense of an almost spiritual abode.
St. Stephen’s Schoolhouse may not claim the same fame as its towering brethren, but it remains a cherished relic of Dublin’s architectural history. The Schoolhouse is a reminder that Deane and Woodward, through their work, created a bridge across time, connecting us to an era when the Gothic Revival was a symphony of brick and stone— a testament to the enduring spirit of creativity, learning and Irish brilliance. In the year of 1861, the doors of this institution swung open, welcoming the children of Dublin into its embrace. Guided by the wisdom of Headmaster Isaac Woodley, and later by the headmistresses Margaret and Jane Dowdall, this sanctuary of learning bloomed into life.
The laughter of 307 young hearts once filled these halls during the peak of its glory in 1892. Among them were the children from the married quarters of the nearby Beggars Bush Military Barracks. By the turn of the century, in the year 1910, Mr. Samuel Flynn took up the mantle of Principal. With his wife, they made their home in the graceful residence adjoining the school.
Let your imagination wander to the bygone era when the aroma of cooking wafted through the present-day kitchen, once a classroom where young girls mastered the art of domestic science. It was a room where dreams of culinary delights and homemaking skills took shape. The honour of the final principal was bestowed upon Miss Hilda Foster, who held the reins from 1956 to 1969. A pivotal moment arrived in 1961, when the two classrooms underwent a transformation. Ceilings were humbly lowered to wrap the warmth within, and new equipment breathed fresh life into the learning spaces.
As the walls witnessed these changes, they held within them tales of courage—the school desks themselves, once barricades during the tumultuous Battle of Mount Street Bridge, adorned with bullet scars and shrapnel fragments. Renovations took shape, including new lavatories and the restoration of the proud chimneys that adorned the building’s skyline. The price tag, £2,100, seemed a small sum for the rich heritage that was being nurtured for a mere 42 children, steadfastly etching their names onto the rolls of this beloved school.
But, alas, even the most essential institutions and chapters must yield to the inexorable march of time. In 1969, the Department of Education, like a custodian of change, closed the doors of St. Stephen’s Parochial School. For 108 years, the halls had resonated with laughter, inquiry, and growth, serving generations of teachers, pupils, and the surrounding parish.
The Schoolhouse Hotel
A period of quietude descended upon the building, until 1997 when a new chapter of rejuvenation unfurled. The Sweeney Hotel Group embraced the historic site, embarking on a passionate journey to restore its former grandeur. Guided by visionary designers and skilled architects, the Schoolhouse Hotel & Gastrobar was reborn in 1998, a phoenix rising from the ashes of time. Many original features were lovingly retained, allowing guests to traverse through history with every step.
Behold the transformation of former classrooms into the cherished Award-Winning Schoolhouse Hotel and Gastrobar, where conversations and camaraderie flow as freely as the history that surrounds them. With Room 331 having an incredibly special connection to the past. The Headmaster’s Room, the only suite that was present in the original 1859 Schoolhouse.
Tales & Fables
Much like the additional tales whispered through the streets of Dublin, Schoolhouse too is mentioned throughout pieces of folklore. Beyond its historical significance, the Schoolhouse found its way into the pages of Irish literature. Writers and poets, deeply entrenched in the tapestry of Ireland’s literary tradition, have alluded to the Schoolhouse in their works. Although references may vary, they consistently capture the essence of a place where knowledge and culture converged, an embodiment of Dublin’s identity. One such writer, James Joyce, Ireland’s literary luminary, paid homage to the Schoolhouse Hotel in his famed work, ‘Ulysses’. Through his character Stephen Dedalus, Joyce draws a connection between the schoolhouse and the cyclical nature of history – an apt reflection of the building’s enduring presence through time.
During the tumultuous years of Ireland’s fight for independence, the Schoolhouse found itself entwined with history. The 1916 Easter Rising, a defining moment in Ireland’s journey toward self-governance, cast its shadow over the city. While the Schoolhouse itself might not have been a central battleground, its proximity to the events undoubtedly meant it bore witness to the upheaval and the fervor of those times. With bullet holes dotting the ceiling in our Gastrobar, there is no doubt that battles were fought in this special space.
In the Schoolhouse’s early days as St. Stephen’s Parochial School, a heartwarming tale emerges. The headmaster and his loyal horse shared an extraordinary friendship. Often seen grazing nearby, the horse stood as a faithful sentinel. Tragedy struck when the horse passed away. Overwhelmed by grief, the headmaster chose an unconventional path to preserve their bond.
He laid his beloved companion to rest in the Schoolhouse’s garden, where their souls could remain intertwined for eternity, and where the horse still remains today.
The Schoolhouse Hotel, a living bridge between eras, stands as a living tribute to the generations of learners. So, as you walk through the original doors, gaze out our iconic framed windows, meander through our bar and Blue Room, you step into history. We welcome you to Schoolhouse, where the past and present collide to showcase the excellence of the Irish. That’s enough reading for now, it’s time to explore.