Major concern about future of historical Offaly building

Serious concerns have been raised about the future of a historic building in Offaly

Many people in Birr are concerned about the future of the town's former Workhouse.

One of the most important heritage buildings in Offaly, it was gutted by fire in 2017 and has remained in dilapidation since then, gradually deteriorating year on year.

There had been great hopes that the premises would be turned into a care centre for dementia sufferers, but sadly this has come to nothing.

Now there's a real danger that nothing will ever be done with the building and it will be allowed to fall into complete rack and ruin.

Since the inception of Birr 20:20 in 2015, the restoration of the Workhouse has always been in the group's sights.

In September 2018 a Birr 20:20 meeting was told that the building had been purchased by Castle Rook, a Canadian/Chinese company with its Irish base in Louth, and restoration was about to get underway, focusing initially on the roof, which is riddled with holes. The building was also badly damaged by fire in 2017 initiated by a group of young vandals.

Detailed plans were shown during the September 2018 meeting to great enthusiasm. Access, the meeting was told, had been secured to the left of the building, leading past a proposed museum.

Castle Rook said it was proposing to transform the Workhouse into “a centre providing care for those with dementia.”

The proposed centre would provide a roofed pavilion for seating; a landscaped sculpture park; a glass walled dining area to retain connection with the public café, community day care centre, crèche and playground.

Mylo robots would also be in use. The Mylo robot connects to the resident's wristband and can monitor heartbeat and bloodpressure, as well as being programmable as a reminder not only for medication times, but also for ‘me time’ at the treatment centre.

The September 2018 meeting was also told that capital was in place for the purchase and initial works.

An extensive discussion took place on the popular Facebook page “Well Mush Birr Memories Old and New” last weekend with many people commenting about the state of the building. It's obvious that it's a very live issue in the town.

“Can the owners of this building not be brought in for a chat to maybe come up with a future plan?” asked one of the commentators on the Facebook page.

“I attended a meeting hosted by Birr Historical Society five and a half years ago,” said another, “when two people from Castlerook said they were going to turn the Workhouse into a centre for Dementia care. We haven't heard a word since.”
“We have the librarian, the late Violet Doolin, to thank for the memorial there. She was an amazing, inspiring woman who really loved her area.”

“Like Kilmainham Jail,” commented one person, “this building makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck.”

“I am currently in the middle of finishing a number of video adverts and info videos for Portumna Workhouse,” said Dickie Donnelly, who oversees the Well Mush page. “I highly recommend everyone to go and see the Museum that has developed over there via a hardworking team of volunteers and committee members. Irish history restored at its best. While I was filming it I couldn't help but think of the state our own workhouse is in.”

“My first job was in Birr Shoes in the Workhouse,” commented one man. “I worked in the old Chapel Room. Sad to see it decaying and falling down.”