Field Trip: Saturday, 4th December 2004. Leader, Dr. Ed. Jarvis. Saturday was a bright fresh day as we gathered on the steps at the main entrance to the College. In contrast to the usual excursions, this field trip was to be a civilised ramble through the College grounds to observe the buildings and absorb a little of their geological and archaeological history. The main entrance on the Western Road - Donovan's Road junction was erected in 1929. It was constructed of local limestone by local craftsmen. There had been a gateway here already which was removed and re-erected at the Gaol Cross entrance. This had been the original entrance to the College and there is one of the gate lodges just inside it, similar to the lodge inside the main gates. These are picturesque buildings, again of limestone, that now house offices rather than families. The bridge over the Lee directly inside the main gates required deep pile drivings in the river bed, due to soft foundations. Soft foundations are a recurrent theme in the construction history of U.C.C. Alluvium and karst are important considerations in development on the campus. In the 1990's the Plant Science building became a casualty of solution cavities beneath, during construction work nearby. |
Our first stop was the newest building on campus, the Lewis Glucksman Gallery. The wide shallow steps in front of this building are of Kilkenny limestone. Lots of brachiopods and colonial corals in the dark grey stone. The saw marks are visible on these slabs in contrast to the smooth finish of the hand worked stone in the older buildings, an illustration in the effect of different methods of work. Above this building is another flight of steps, of Leinster Granite this time. The embankments on either side are faced with black Welsh slate. The whole was a bequest to the College. The steps lead up to the Students Building. This building was completed in 1995 and has had additional work done on it in the last year. The limestone is from Kildare this time and has contrasting smooth and rustic finishes. The building is fronted in red brick, echoing the red and white of many ork buildings. At the front, where the late Plant Science building stood is an open circular Plaza again using the Leinster Granite. This open space shows to good effect the Honan Chapel, erected in 1916 in the Hibemo-Romanesque style. The Harry Clarke and Sarah Purser windows are a notable feature of this building which once was outside the campus. The original College buildings, designed by Sir Thomas Deane, date from 1847 and are of local limestone. The limestone is the typical pale grey, fine grained Waulsortian type that underlies much of Cork City. Just how local became apparent when we eventually skirted the Boole Library building to observe the remains of the quarry, which now houses lecture theatres. The quarry was originally the site of a lime kiln and was purchased in 1863 and was one of the earliest parcels of land in the area accreted to the College complex. The Boole complex opened in 1982 and for a time prior to this development the quarry served as a rugby pitch, hence the "Quarry Cup" for those who know their sport. We moved through the 'stone corridor' in the north wing of the College, so called because the floor is of Yorkshire sandstone flags. It also has an impressive display of Ogham stones. |
These are of limestone and sandstone. At this point there was a slight detour to the old college bar for refreshments and where the discussion on the history of the College continued. Our last stop was the Geology Building. One of the earlier buildings, it is built on land purchased in 1918. It is of local limestone and roofed with west Cork slate. It was originally the Dairy Science building and is still referred to occasionally as such. Our business was inside, for a final look at the specimens on display. The 'field trip' concluded with a debate on whether the beautiful emerald on display is/is not genuine. Perish the thought that it should be a fake! Our thanks once again to Dr. Jarvis for an interesting look around the College. Roisin Ni Mhurchadha, B. Sc., CGA Member. |
Main entrance to U.C.C. |
Bridge over River Lee. |
Lewis Glucksman Gallery |
Kilkenny limestone fossils |
Leinster granite steps and Welsh slate facing |
Ammonite in gate-lodge doorstep. |
Click on pictures to view full size |
Original UCC Building |
Waulsortian Limestone in UCC grounds |
Fossils on limestone flag on pathway |
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