Quick question about water feature thingy next to college chapel...

seven stars

I'm talking about the little irregular-shaped pond thing between St Patrick's, St Mary's, and the college chapel (not sure it's proper name). Anyone know why/when they fenced it off, and whether they ever open it up? We visited NUI Maynooth and it's padlocked now.

Michellenman

The one behind pugin? Where people get their grad pics taken?

Norrdeth

Sounds like the priesty garden! Yeah they fenced it off so the lay people couldn't get in.

Feathers

It's called the Bicentenial Garden, so was presumably done in 1995 for the 200th anniversary of St Patrick's. Though that's all I know

TouchingVirus

They fenced it off? I visited that place for the very first time on the day I graduated and have some really nice pictures from there as a memory. Weird reaction to the "lay people" if you ask me

Thwip!

TouchingVirus wrote: »

They fenced it off? I visited that place for the very first time on the day I graduated and have some really nice pictures from there as a memory. Weird reaction to the "lay people" if you ask me

perhaps its a reaction to the midnight "get laid" people instead :P

How so Joe

jpcarlow wrote: »

perhaps its a reaction to the midnight "get laid" people instead :P

awh, man, why did I never think of doing that???

seven stars

Feathers wrote: »

It's called the Bicentenial Garden, so was presumably done in 1995 for the 200th anniversary of St Patrick's. Though that's all I know

That seems to be the one alright. Nice spot, pity they've locked the place. :mad:

irish_goat

They fenced it off only recently, although it's not exactly a high fence either so there's nothing stopping you jumping over if you want to look around/take some photos.

Alt_Grrr

I saw the fence last week during a evening stroll on the south campus.

Its a bit unusual to erect a fence like that, especially seeing as the university and the college are reluctant to put up any sort of fences where they are actually needed. but are very quick to fix certain ones.

Eric Cartman

jpcarlow wrote: »

perhaps its a reaction to the midnight "get laid" people instead :P

i miss first year

shame to see they fenced it off

Stavro Mueller

Feathers wrote: »

It's called the Bicentenial Garden, so was presumably done in 1995 for the 200th anniversary of St Patrick's. Though that's all I know

Yeah, that's exactly when it was done. I was in NUIM in the early to mid 1990s and remember there being nothing at all in that square only flat green lawns. It's a shame to hear they've fenced it off but perhaps Elf 'n Safety is an issue? Or too much fun and frolics

Kiwi_knock

I heard that fencing off the area was a recommendation from a group of inspectors sent from the Vatican. It is a means of keeping seminarians and lay students separate which is a supposedly a big concern. The inspectors believe that there is too much interaction between seminarians and lay students, and they are trying to remove the presence of lay students from some areas of the South Campus.

Seren_

That's ridiculous imo. Surely they should trust the seminarians a little bit :rolleyes: What do they think we're going to do to them?

Kinski

Your Text Here wrote: »

That's ridiculous imo. Surely they should trust the seminarians a little bit :rolleyes: What do they think we're going to do to them?

I dunno, I've heard plenty of rumours about what the seminarians get up to.

How so Joe

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

I heard that fencing off the area was a recommendation from a group of inspectors sent from the Vatican. It is a means of keeping seminarians and lay students separate which is a supposedly a big concern. The inspectors believe that there is too much interaction between seminarians and lay students, and they are trying to remove the presence of lay students from some areas of the South Campus.

Well they can hardly stop seminarians interacting with lay students - they share theology classes, don't they?

sionnachrua

We got a seminarian to break lent and eat ice cream the other day. No wonder they're worried.

Eric Cartman

sionnachrua wrote: »

We got a seminarian to break lent and eat ice cream the other day. No wonder they're worried.

next hell be listening to rap music and addicted to crack

Absolute Zero

Was walking past on thursday enjoying the good weather. Next thing I see a big black fence put up around the water feature, how stupid is that?

sadie06

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

I heard that fencing off the area was a recommendation from a group of inspectors sent from the Vatican.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0112/1224310142807.html

That is exactly why it was done, and why the new inner doors have been installed also. Apparently, the seminarians themselves would prefer to be a little more segregated, and have complained about various issues, such as gangs of girls using the conference centre rooms for nights out, and roaming the corridors scantily clad. The new doors will mean that can't happen.

I hope they don't get a separate dining room though. I like Pugin just as it is!

DB21

Wasn't there talk last year that they wanted Pugin to themselves?