Number of options being explored for former convent in Offaly

THERE are discussions currently taking place to move the Heritage Centre and the Library in Ferbane into the Ferbane Convent building.

Other possibilities being explored for the convent are remote working hubs; a training base for Laois Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB); the establishment of tourist accommodation and the development of a public space within the gardens of the convent with access to riverbank walks and sports fields.

The premises was bought by Offaly County Council from the sisters of the Order of St Joseph of Cluny in Spring last year.

The Council plans to enter into a long-term lease arrangement of the property to the local community in Ferbane. A limited company called An Siolán has been created to facilitate the lease arrangement and a number of possibilities have been explored for the site with St Hilda’s Services being one of the organisations to express an interest in having a base in the convent buildings (St Hilda's provides supports to people with intellectual disabilities).

The Council's plan to turn St Joseph’s Convent into a multipurpose community/enterprise hub is part of a wider scheme to improve facilities in the town. The official funding agreement between Offaly County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development was signed on 4th April, 2022. The project will also entail the employment of a project manager.
St Joseph of Cluny Convent was synonymous with education in Ferbane for many years.

The move to sell off part of the building began in 2010 when the establishment of Gallen Community School meant that the classrooms in the Convent building were no longer needed. The last three sisters who were living in the convent, Sr Benedict, Sr Joseph and Sr Helena, left the building for the final time in August last year and moved into their new home on the Athlone Road in Ferbane. The Order of St Joseph of Cluny first arrived in Ferbane in May of 1896 to work in the local parish primary school. They did many good works including on the economic front; for example the establishment of Ferbane Credit Union was instigated by Sr Nivard McGrath. They also provided a lot of help to poorer families in the area.

For example, their kitchen was always an open house where people could just drop in if they were in need of a bite to eat, or some other help.

There is funding of €683,000 in place for the Ferbane regeneration project, which will include the convent. It's envisaged that the project will enhance the town’s potential as an attractive and sustainable place to live and work.

It's also envisaged that Ferbane will receive Town Centre First funding. The Town Centre First Policy was launched in February last year and provides a co-ordinated, whole-of-government policy framework to proactively address the decline in the health of towns across Ireland and support measures to regenerate and revitalise them.

Cllr Eamon Dooley told a recent meeting of Birr MD that it's hoped to access more funding for Ferbane through the Just Transition programme. He said he thinks it will be a good idea to move the town's library and Heritage Centre to the convent.