Gloster House will feature on Nationwide this Friday

RTE's Nationwide programme will air a feature on Gloster House, which is just outside Birr, on Friday, November 3rd, as part of their 'The Big House’ series that runs for a number of episodes.

Reporter Mary Fanning visits Tom and Mary Alexander, a Dublin couple who bought the house and embarked on a labour of love in a 22-year restoration.

Mary hears about the magnificent work the Alexanders did, bringing Gloster back to glory. Offaly County Council's conservation architect and author, Rachel McKenna, tells Mary that “the restoration of this house is a legacy, not just to the county but to the country”.

The house dates to the 1600's and has had many chapters in its big house journey. Mary also interviews Maura White, who was in service at Gloster when she was 15 years old, and is now in her late eighties.

In the 1950's, the Salesian nuns used Gloster as a convent, and some of the nuns returned for the RTE filming to walk the corridors of their youth and recount very happy memories.

Mary Alexander outlines the history of the house as a beacon of sociality through the decades and notes that they are now continuing that tradition by using the old school chapel for weddings and events.

Mary Fanning also speaks to renowned historian, Robert O'Byrne who has mapped every house North and South of historical importance.

“What impressed me most about Tom and Mary Alexander, aside from their Herculean

dedication to restoration, is their generosity in sharing the house with those whose stories are embedded in its corridors, walls, rooms, shadows and bones. They are wonderful people who have left such a legacy’, says Mary.

Centenary Celebrations

On 

Sunday October 8th, Tom and Mary Alexander hosted a very special celebration for the Salesian Sisters and their Past Pupils in Gloster House, Birr. Sixty-three Past Pupils and their former teachers gathered to enjoy the celebration of the Centenary of the Salesian Sisters in Ireland.

This celebration had been delayed by three years because of Covid.

The Sisters bought Gloster House in 1957 from the Lloyd family and began a boarding school for girls the following year. It was a very successful venture and at its height had well over 100 pupils enrolled. The Community were very well respected in the local area and there was widespread sadness when its doors closed in 1991.

Subsequently, Gloster House was purchased by Tom and Mary Alexander with a view to restore it to its former glory. Having been guided around by Tom, it was agreed they have done an absolutely wonderful job with love and great care. It has now become a much sought after wedding venue.

The celebrations on Sunday October 8th brought a multi generational gathering together with those attending meeting again for the first time in many years in some cases. All were amazed at the wonderful transformation of the house and shared many memories on visiting the school building and roaming around the classrooms, dormitories, refectory etc. Many tears were shed on sharing school experiences. Lunch was served during the afternoon and enjoyed by all.

All who attended were happy that their beloved former school was currently in such loving hands. Many thanks to Tom and Mary for their hospitality. Perhaps they will have another opportunity in the not too distant future to meet again in Gloster House.