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History of The Rural College 

In 1809 Derrynoid Cottage, later known as “The Big House” was built as a residence for Judge Torrens.  It had a thatched roof to begin with but the building was enlarged seven years later with the addition of a slated roof. In 1952 it was badly damaged in a fire and was later totally demolished by the Forestry Service.

 

When Judge Torrens acquired the estate it was practically all a wasteland bog.  He spent vast sums of money putting roads through the grounds, and converting it into good agricultural land.  He also had a lot of rare plants imported from as far afield as India, and evidence of these can still be seen around the site of the former lodge.

 

In 1995, with funding from the Department of Agriculture, International Fund for Ireland and the European Union, the Land Steward’s House and other servants’ quarters were refurbished to form what is an impressive sandstone frontage to The Rural College. A large orchard and kitchen garden, which was totally enclosed by an 8 foot high brick wall with iron gates, has now become the site of the self contained bedroom accommodation blocks which house the visitors to The Rural College.

 

‘Judge Robert Torrens, 1776-1856, original owner of the land and buildings’