Go-ahead given for redevelopment of convent in Offaly

Offaly County Council has given the go-ahead for the redevelopment of the former St Joseph of Cluny Convent in Ferbane.

The project is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development through the Rural Regeneration Development Fund with matching funding from Offaly County Council’s Local Property Tax. The development will transform the historic convent into a multi-purpose community, enterprise, and learning hub, which will include an urban garden, a linear river walk, and the creation of multi-functional spaces within the convent building.

Anna Marie Delaney, the Chief Executive of the Council, told the July meeting of the local authority that 21 submissions had been received for the project and they had been very positive. She recommended to the Councillors that the development should proceed. The Councillors unanimously agreed.

An Síolán, the local voluntary community group working in partnership with Offaly County Council on the redevelopment, believes the development will have a positive socio-economic impact on Ferbane and the wider region "for generations to come". Chairperson of An Siolán, Brian Flynn, said the upgrade of the building will provide all of the essential access requirements of a modern building while "respecting the character and unique heritage of structure from this era. While the refurbishment of the convent will provide much needed space and amenities to local community groups, the development of the gardens and river walk has the potential to change the landscape of the town and make this entire site a truly transformative space.”

Mr Flynn paid tribute to anchor tenants St Hilda's Services and the Laois Offaly Education Training Board (LOETB) who are "central to the project. St Hilda's Services provide an invaluable support to the most vulnerable members of our community, while the LOETB'S involvement will ensure that the legacy of educational support that has been the hallmark of the Order's presence in Ferbane, will continue into the future.”

Cllr Hughie Egan said the redevelopment was a "welcome collaboration" between the local community and the County Council. He pointed out that the St Joseph of Cluny Convent was established in Ferbane in 1880 and there are three nuns from the Order still living in the town.

Cllr Peter Ormond pointed out that this is a modern and exciting project which will “deliver for the community of Ferbane and it is great to now see the redevelopment progress to the next stage.”

Cathaoirleach Cllr John Leahy said it will be great to see an "iconic building" being brought back to life. "The future use of the convent is now secure. Bringing such buildings back to life is vital to the future of our towns and villages in County Offaly.”

“A great debt,” Mr Flynn told the Tribune, “is due to the three remaining sisters in the Order of St Joseph of Cluny community, Sr, Benedict, Sr Helena & Sr Joseph, for their support for the project. We are also very grateful for the support of Sr Maeve Guinan, Head for the Order in Ireland, for her commitment to the project and for making the transfer of the building possible.”

He said that with the planning and design phase of the project complete, Offaly Co Co will apply to the Rural Regeneration Fund for the development costs of the project whenever the next round of funding is announced. “Given the urgent need for economic development in the West Offaly region following the job losses in ESB & BNM, we believe this project deserves widespread political support to ensure the funding application is successful which will go somewhat to addressing the uneven distribution of Just Transition funding to the areas most affected.”

The An Síolán Chairperson told the Tribune that An Síolán and the Council will continue to ensure that suggestions and input from the community are fed into the process. “We will engage with residents and near neighbours to ensure that reconstruction works occur with as little disruption as possible and continue to liaise so that future activities in the facility and gardens are enhancing features of the neighbourhood and wider community.”

He said it was important for the An Síolán board to acknowledge the support of the individuals and organisations that have contributed to bringing the project to this point. “To former long-serving public representative, Eamon Dooley, for initiating the process between OCC and the Order of St Joseph, that secured the facility as a visionary community project, and to Cllr. Hughie Egan for his ongoing support. Anna Marie Delaney, CE of Offaly Local Authority and Ann Dillon, Director of the Birr Municipal District, have been enthusiastic supporters of the project and place a great emphasis on genuine community development. Olwen Cummins and her Town Regeneration Team have driven the project from the start and have always provided excellent support and advice along the journey, particularly during interactions with the architect design team at Kenny Lyons Associates.

“Finally, we thank the hundreds of people from the community who have made submissions and given feedback to the process since we commenced public consultations. Their vision for the building and gardens have brought us to this point and we look forward to continuing the journey together to create a wonderful facility for future generations.”