Tenders sought for St Michael's Hall redevelopment

Cavan County Council has advertised tenders in relation to the multi-million euro conservation, refurbishment and extension to St Michael’s Hall in Cootehill.

It's hoped to create a community hub with a sports hall, community meeting spaces, auditorium, stage, ancillary spaces and all associated site works.

The Fairgreen Community Centre Committee obtained planning permission for the development in February 2024. The project involves demolishing a non-original extension to the side and rear of the existing building to make way for the construction of a new extension. It will house a sports hall (29 x 16.5 metres) to the rear, together with ancillary accommodation over two storeys.

An architectural submission by Cavan-based Craftstudio Architecture set out how, in bringing forward the plans, the local community is seeking to meet the needs of the people of Cootehill “for the next 100 years”.

Their hopes of progress were significantly boosted when, in June 2024, then Minister for Rural & Community Development, Heather Humphreys, announced a grant of €6,129,442 to the St Michael’s Hall Redevelopment Fund, with a top-up from the local authority, bringing the total to over €6.8M.

The government grant was made under the auspices of Rural Regeneration and Redevelopment.

As tenderer, the local authority will oversee progress on the development as work takes place.

Local organisations within the area who will immediately benefit from the redevelopment of the hall, including Drumlin House,

The Holy Family School, St Aidan’s Comprehensive School, St Michael’s NS and Darley NS.

The council tender is for an 18-month period, and the deadline for submissions is noon on June 27.