Former school of Éamon De Valera transformed into social housing project

TÁNAISTE Mícheál Martin has officially opened a new social housing project at what was once the school of former president Éamon De Valera.

Delivered by the Peter McVerry Trust, the nine new apartments are located at the site of the former school at Main Street in Charleville, North Cork.

Éamon De Valera, former President of the first Republic of Ireland Free State, attended what used to be an old Christian Brothers.

The building has been a landmark on Charleville’s Main Street since 1866 and while it was used as a school between 1896 and 1898, Eamon De Valera used walk seven miles each day from Bruree in County Limerick. 

The new social housing project is part of a wider social housing scheme being run by the charity and has been funded by the Department for Housing’s Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) - the first tenants have already moved into their new homes.

“It is greatly encouraging to see a derelict building brought back into use for social homes, particularly one of such historic importance,” said Tánaiste Martin at a ceremony this Friday morning.

“Peter McVerry Trust is a valued partner in the Government’s efforts to tackle homelessness, and I’ve always been impressed by their ambition and expertise in transforming vacant properties right across the country.

“The delivery of more one-bedroom homes are a crucial part of successfully delivering programmes such as Housing First and reducing the number of people impacted by homelessness in Ireland,” he added.

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The property has seven one-bed apartments as well as a three-bed and a two-bed apartment for families, along with communal garden facilities. The new homes range from 44 square metres to 90 square metres in size.

“All Peter McVerry Trust tenants who will make this their new home will receive ongoing support from our local Housing with Supports team and will come from the local authority housing list,” CEO of Peter McVerry Trust, Pat Doyle said.

In 2022, the charity worked with over 12,000 people across Ireland.