Leitrim County Council seek expressions of interest for purchase of historic Town Hall building
Leitrim County Council is looking for expressions of interest in the freehold purchase of the historic Town Hall in Carrick-on- Shannon. At Monday's meeting of Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District, members were told that the Council is advertising for expressions of interest for the building and is looking to sell it.
The building was constructed c.1830 and is located on Bridge Street. The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage notes it boasts a number of “notable features” including its distinctive perron staircase, detailed openings and a bolection-panelled entrance door all of which they say “are architecturally significant.”
Director of Services at Leitrim County Council, Joseph Gilhooly, explained that they “continuously review” the corporate building stock, adding that the Town Hall building has been identified as a potential property for disposal and the Council is now moving to “test the market.”
He noted that there are access and energy upgrade works required to allow the Town Hall to continue to be used by the Council and stressed that, at this stage, the process just involved an appeal for expressions of interest in acquiring the freehold of the property.
He said that if there is sufficient interest then the sale would come back before the Council for consideration.
Councillors welcomed the idea with Cllr Enda Stenson pointing to the “huge potential” posed by investment in this listed structure for not just the Council, but also the town centre.
“I am sure that we have enough existing buildings to facilitate the staff currently working in (the Town Hall),” he said.
Cllr Finola Armstrong-McGuire noted the “well done” and sensitive works carried out at other historic sites such as the Market Yard and the former courthouse, which now houses The Dock Arts Centre.
“I have seen all its uses down through the years and I would welcome a big brainstorming session with the public on the future of this building,” she said.
Acknowledging the access issues caused by the stairs at the front of the building, Cllr Des Guckian said he understood why this would pose an issue for the Council in its current state.
As a listed structure there are very strict rules governing any changes which are made to the building.
Cllr Paddy Farrell noted that he had spent a “good bit of time” in the building when it was used as an educational building in his childhood, while Cathaoirleach Cllr Sean McGowan recalled “playing badminton in the building in the early 1970s.”
“I welcome this initiative to go to the market with the former Town Hall. I welcome it and no doubt there will be huge interest in it,” he said.
Cllr Thomas Mulligan also welcomed the news.
Drawings of the property are available by emailing: [email protected]
Detailed Expressions of Interest should be submitted to the Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Services, Leitrim County Council, Aras an Chontae, Carrick-on-Shannon, in a sealed envelope clearly referenced “Expression of Interest – Town Hall” by 4pm on Thursday, March 30.