€20M Abbeylands redevelopment in Cavan to start later this year

- Michelle Taite -

Detailed plans for a €20 million Abbeylands regeneration Masterplan have been sanctioned with the project set to get underway later this year.

Part 8 approval was given by members of the Cavan Belturbet Municipal District at their meeting last week.

Presenting the drawings, the council’s senior executive architect, Liam O’Reilly, said he believes the project will “make a real impact on the town”.

The proposed development seeks to redevelop existing derelict structures, green space and back land areas located to the rear of properties facing onto Abbey Street, Townhall Street, Main Street and Bridge Street.

A new multifunctional public plaza and event space is to be created within the Abbey tower grounds and Donohoe’s Foodfare. New pedestrian links will be established between the plaza to the surrounding streets. The programme also includes the demolition of multiple derelict buildings including the old abattoir located to the rear of Donohoe’s Food Fair and the premises formerly known as McIntyre’s furniture store. Also included in the blueprints are a new cultural and remote working building, a community services building and eatery.

It will also involve a change of existing zoning for the area from Residential to Commercial space.

The site was the location of St Mary’s Abbey, a former Franciscan abbey dating back to the 1300s. The Abbey Tower and Abbey Graveyard are protected structures and the development must take that into account. The proposed works include heritage preservation works to the existing medieval tower and former stone walls surrounding the plaza, which are to be retained.

The objective outlined in the report was to ‘protect and enhance the special physical and social character of the town and village core, while providing and/or improving town/village centre facilities’.

Three submissions were made to the council regarding the plans as part of the public consultation process.

These were from Cavan Disability Network, McCabe Clan Society and Peter Fay, all of whom supported the project, but made observations or raised queries regarding the proposals.

The Cavan Disability Network requested the area be accessible for those with disabilities.

They group requested the shared space facility be created with those with special needs in mind, outlining the issues that could arise from use of colours, gradient, lighting, and other areas, which could impact the level of safety it offers to those with a disability.

Concerns were also raised regarding the use of scooters, skateboards and bicycles in the area, which could also pose a hazard.

The network requested a new local link stop be positioned directly outside the premises to allow for easy access.

The McCabe Clan Society raised concerns over the preservation of graves.

The society wished to “draw attention to the particular significance of the site to the McCabe history and heritage. The McCabes were hereditary gallowglass to the O’Reilly chieftains, and it is likely that many of them are buried in the graveyard surrounding the former St Mary’s Abbey”.

Peter Fay also offered numerous suggestions relating to the town’s regeneration.

The council were happy to receive each of the submissions, stating each idea will be taken into consideration during the project’s progress.

It is further hoped the introduction of the new Abbeylands plaza will “kickstart private sector development” in the area, and encourage more businesses into the centre of town.

The project is set to be completed in two phases, with phase one set to commence construction in the third or fourth quarter of this year.

Detailed plans for a €20 million Abbeylands regeneration Masterplan have been sanctioned with the project set to get underway later this year.

Part 8 approval was given by members of the Cavan Belturbet Municipal District at their meeting last week.

Presenting the drawings, the council’s senior executive architect, Liam O’Reilly, said he believes the project will “make a real impact on the town”.

The proposed development seeks to redevelop existing derelict structures, green space and back land areas located to the rear of properties facing onto Abbey Street, Townhall Street, Main Street and Bridge Street.

A new multifunctional public plaza and event space is to be created within the Abbey tower grounds and Donohoe’s Foodfare. New pedestrian links will be established between the plaza to the surrounding streets. The programme also includes the demolition of multiple derelict buildings including the old abattoir located to the rear of Donohoe’s Food Fair and the premises formerly known as McIntyre’s furniture store. Also included in the blueprints are a new cultural and remote working building, a community services building and eatery.

It will also involve a change of existing zoning for the area from Residential to Commercial space.

The site was the location of St Mary’s Abbey, a former Franciscan abbey dating back to the 1300s. The Abbey Tower and Abbey Graveyard are protected structures and the development must take that into account. The proposed works include heritage preservation works to the existing medieval tower and former stone walls surrounding the plaza, which are to be retained.

The objective outlined in the report was to ‘protect and enhance the special physical and social character of the town and village core, while providing and/or improving town/village centre facilities’.

Three submissions were made to the council regarding the plans as part of the public consultation process.

These were from Cavan Disability Network, McCabe Clan Society and Peter Fay, all of whom supported the project, but made observations or raised queries regarding the proposals.

The Cavan Disability Network requested the area be accessible for those with disabilities.

They group requested the shared space facility be created with those with special needs in mind, outlining the issues that could arise from use of colours, gradient, lighting, and other areas, which could impact the level of safety it offers to those with a disability.

Concerns were also raised regarding the use of scooters, skateboards and bicycles in the area, which could also pose a hazard.

The network requested a new local link stop be positioned directly outside the premises to allow for easy access.

The McCabe Clan Society raised concerns over the preservation of graves.

The society wished to “draw attention to the particular significance of the site to the McCabe history and heritage. The McCabes were hereditary gallowglass to the O’Reilly chieftains, and it is likely that many of them are buried in the graveyard surrounding the former St Mary’s Abbey”.

Peter Fay also offered numerous suggestions relating to the town’s regeneration.

The council were happy to receive each of the submissions, stating each idea will be taken into consideration during the project’s progress.

It is further hoped the introduction of the new Abbeylands plaza will “kickstart private sector development” in the area, and encourage more businesses into the centre of town.

The project is set to be completed in two phases, with phase one set to commence construction in the third or fourth quarter of this year.