Major upgrade to leisure facilities planned at historic Clare secondary school

Plans have been unveiled for major development works at a historic secondary school on Clonroad More in Ennis. 

Details of the proposed development were revealed as part of a new planning application submitted by the board of management of St Flannan's College to Clare County Council on December 11.

The plans include the demolition of the existing gym, squash court and outdoor basketball court on the premises. 

The development then outlines the construction of a replacement gym with changing and sanitary facilities as well as a replacement outdoor basketball court together with all associated site development works.

The planning application which currently has a pre-validation status confirms that no Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) license or waste license is required for the project. The proposed works are within the curtilage of a protected structure. 

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The historic school which opened in 1881 outlined their need for the upgraded development works as part of the Architectural Heritage Impact Assessment.

They said: "In order to provide a viable future for St Flannan’s College, it is necessary to improve the sports facilities available to the increasing numbers of both the male and female students."

It continued: "The proposed gymnasium and changing rooms, with the comforts and energy efficiency and sanitary facilities are required for the 21st century."

A letter of consent from the landowner was submitted as part of the plans which stated: "We, St Flannan's (Killaloe) Diocesan Trust, as the legal owners of the land situated at St Flannan's College, Ennis, Co Clare consent to the lodgement of a planning application by the board of management of St Flannan's College for a gym facility."

The documents of the planning application show that an engineer's report was commissioned by the board of management at St Flannan's College on June 3 of this year. 

The objectives of this report was to investigate the current condition, to assess if the existing structure could be used as part of an increased gym and dressing room and to identify any visible structural defects before any planning application was submitted. 

The planning authority will consider if the site notice complies with all regulations and that the information submitted in the application is deemed correct before coming to a decision. 

The application states that any submissions or observations on the proposed development must be submitted to Clare County Council by January 23, 2026.

A final decision on the application is expected by February 13.