Back row l-r: PJ Dooley, An Síolán; Justin Murtagh, Executive Engineer, Offaly County Council; Olwen Cummins, Town Regeneration Officer, Offaly County Council; Brian Flynn, An Síolán, Danny Gleeson; An SíolánFront row l-r: Ann Galvin, An Síolán; Annette Egan; An Síolán; Anna Marie Delany, CE, Offaly County Council; Cllr. Eamonn Dooley

Over 100 attend St Joseph's Convent open day in Ferbane

Published: Thu 6 Apr 2023, 1:55 PM

A public open day to allow views on the refurbishment of St Joseph's Convent in Ferbane was attended by over 100 people.

The open day was held by Offaly County Council in partnership with Ferbane community group, An Síolán, to allow the community to tour the buildings and grounds and to give their views and comments on the refurbishment of St. Joseph’s Convent for use as a multipurpose community/enterprise/learning space in Ferbane,.

The council said the views given will ensure that the local knowledge informs the uses and opportunities for the entire property over the coming years.

Chief Executive of Offaly County Council, Anna Marie Delaney, who was in attendance at the open day, said: “The community of Ferbane are thoroughly invested in this project and it will be transformational for Ferbane Town and the community and I am confident this will be an exemplar project for the cCounty of Offaly going forward”.

A Design Team will be appointed to undertake all necessary analysis of the community information gathered at the open day which will assist in the design process over the coming months. Further public consultations will take place throughout the design process.

The An Síolán community project in Ferbane was organised to help ensure that the convent building "continues the immense contribution it has made to the local community since it first hosted the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny in 1896."

The building is due to be redeveloped in the coming years, with St Hilda's Services and the Laois Offaly Education Training Board (LOETB) set to become its anchor tenants.

A "multi-purpose community space" is also due to be developed and will be available for use through An Síolán, which will hold the lease on the revitalised building that has been purchased by Offaly County Council.

For those unable to attend the in-person event, an online survey is still available by visiting https://forms.office.com/e/DaJ8QBnpiq (closing date for online survey will be April, 21)