Offaly County Council in partnership with An Síolán held a Public Information Event on Wednesday 6th of March 2024 in Gallen Community School, Ferbane, to allow the public to view the proposed designs to date of the refurbishment of St Joseph’s Convent Ferbane.
The aim of the Public Information Event was for the Architect led multi-disciplinary design team, Kenny Lyons Associates to showcase their proposed designs for the refurbishment/redesign of St. Joseph’s Convent and ancillary buildings for use as a multipurpose community, enterprise and learning hub and the potential for the overall site, such as an urban garden, a multifunctional sports ground and a riverbank walk along the River Brosna. Members of the public and community of Ferbane took this opportunity to engage directly with the design team and the proposed design drawings were well received.
The redesign for St. Joseph’s Convent, ancillary buildings and grounds is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development through the Rural Regeneration Development Fund in partnership with Offaly County Council. The design team are currently preparing a cost plan for the current design option that was on display at the Public Information Event. Following a review of the cost plan the project will progress to final design and Part 8 application.
Olwen Cummins, Town Regeneration Officer, Offaly County Council said, “Its important to allow the community to be involved in the design process as much as possible and it was great to see such an interest in the event.” She continued to say “This project would not be possible without the Rural Regeneration Development Fund from the Department of Rural and Community Development. This convent refurbishment is an example of the type of project which RRDF supports as it addresses a community need for multipurpose space while tackling vacancy and will have an impact on sustainable economic and social development in Ferbane into the future.”
