Expertly restored Kilcormac landmark set to reopen
‘At one stage there was talk of knocking the building completely and starting from scratch’
THE expertly restored Kilcormac landmark “Fiesta Hall” is due to open its doors to the general public in the near future.
Róisín Lennon, CEO of Offaly Local Development Company (OLDC), told the June meeting of Offaly County Council, that the building will be the home for a lot of OLDC's projects.
A number of the Councillors said the building had been intelligently and expertly restored. One of the Councillors said the building enjoys a good location in the county, making it easily accessible for all the citizens of the county.
Cllr John Leahy commented that Fiesta Hall is a “significant, iconic building. At one stage there was talk of knocking it completely and starting completely from scratch, but many in the town were opposed to that. Thankfully it wasn't knocked and nearly everyone is glad to have it.”
Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick said he and the other Councillors were given a tour of the new building recently and were very impressed. “It's a great facility,” he remarked. “I hope it does really well and that we will all be very proud of it.”
The project received a €500,000 grant under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
Fiesta Hall has been a landmark in Kilcormac for more than sixty years. Built in 1961 by local businessman Paddy McCormack, the Art Deco-style building served generations as a cinema, dance hall, theatre, courthouse, bingo hall, and community venue. For many in the town and surrounding areas it was at the heart of social and cultural life.
Following decades of decline and the closure of Bord na Móna's peat operations in Offaly in 2020, the building faced an uncertain future. Its purchase by OLDC marked the beginning of a major transformation, supported by the Just Transition Fund and a mortgage from the Julia V.M. Trench (Deceased) Will Trust (The Trench Trust), a philanthropic trust committed to the development of culture and heritage in the midlands of Ireland.
The funding which OLDC received was to be put towards creating a Green Enterprise and Climate Action Centre.
The Just Transition Fund was given because it was believed that the renovation of the Fiesta Hall would be part of a wider transition to a greener and more sustainable future for the Midlands. The project reimagined the historic building as a hub for climate action, green enterprise, education, and community development.
Extensive refurbishment works brought the building up to modern environmental standards, including the removal of asbestos, external insulation, installation of solar panels, and an air-to-air heat pump system. At the same time, key heritage features — including the distinctive façade, cinema seating, and original dance floor materials — were carefully retained and restored.
Today, the renewed Fiesta Hall provides office space, training facilities, conference and exhibition areas, and incubation space for green and circular economy enterprises. OLDC points that “Through programmes focused on sustainability, community energy, heritage, and skills development, the Fiesta Hall stands as a powerful example of how historic buildings can be adapted to support regeneration and a just transition for local communities.”