Investment of €7.5m to transform former Limerick convent
A €7.5m investment will transform a former Limerick convent into a home for those suffering from isolation and loneliness.
The Sisters of Mercy donated the convent and the former St Joseph's Secondary School on the same campus in Doon to Ballyhoura Rural Services in April 2019.
The conversion of the convent building is planned to commence in the next few months, said a spokesperson for Ballyhoura Rural Services.
“Securing of funding has taken considerable time given the scale of funding required, but contracts for a State grant of €7.5m have recently been signed which now allows the project to proceed.
“It will provide a mix of single and double-bedroom apartments totalling 23 altogether. Apartment occupants will be aged 50 plus and will have lifetime tenancies.
“These are independent living apartments but as the occupants age, assisted living options will be considered in future years subject to HSE funding,” said the spokesperson.
Community space will be available in the former chapel and there will also be a full restaurant on site which will be open to the wider east Limerick community.
“This is great news for the community of Doon given the prominence of the building in the village and will be a huge help in the rejuvenation of the village and surrounding area,” said the spokesperson.
There are also plans for the former girls school on the site.
“This building is around 33,000 square feet and is becoming more and more dilapidated and unsafe. Action is desperately needed to avoid long term decay and a line of funding is currently being worked upon for the refurbishment of this building,” said the spokesperson.
An additional €9m is required to turn the school into a planned mother and child reconciliation programme directed at young mothers from the Mid-West who have experienced substance abuse in the past, have successfully completed a rehabilitation programme, and are ready to reunite with their children. There will be a publicly available onsite crèche and preschool facility.
Ballyhoura Rural Services (BRS) chairman John Walsh said they are delighted to be able to bring forward these projects that are so badly needed.
“From a Doon village perspective, it is also great to see the redevelopment of these buildings which are currently very unsightly in Doon village, and which will make a really positive impact on the village when complete.
"We are currently working hard on finalising funding for the school building which will be in the order of an additional €9m which will further boost the local economy,” said Mr Walsh.
More than 80 will be employed during construction and when the work is completed.