"A rising tide lifts all boats": Ashen & Cloud brings new life to historic Westside building
By Rebekah O'Reilly
A historic building on Athlone’s Westside is set for a new chapter as design studio Ashen & Cloud prepares to relocate to 7 O’Connell Street.
Founded in 2018 by Athlone native Susan McGowan, the company has grown to a team of nine and now delivers multidisciplinary residential and hospitality projects across Ireland and the UK.
The business has been based in Blyry for the past number of years, but the long-term goal was always to secure a permanent home in the town centre.
McGowan said the O’Connell Street property, which is almost 200 years old and predates the current town bridge, offered both the space and character the company was seeking.
The building began life as a branch of the National Bank, founded by Daniel O’Connell and fellow Irish MPs, and has since served as a Bishop’s residence, the Sammon family hair salon, and, most recently, as the Training for Employment centre.
“A vacant and dilapidated building does not daunt us,” she said. “The challenge was to find a building that met our spatial requirements but also had inherent character. If these walls could talk - they would have many interesting stories to tell.”
McGowan said that, as well as the deep history, the unique proportions of the buildings on the Westside of Athlone are what drew her towards the area, noting that she would encourage others to follow suit.
“The intricacy of the architecture is simply not replicated in modern buildings, and it gives us the most amazing canvas to present our work. It truly is a privilege to be the custodian of 7 O’Connell street for its next chapter.”
The property will become the company’s main interior design studio and will include a dedicated client suite designed to showcase projects in a purpose-built setting.
Development works have commenced and McGowan said she hopes the team will move in within the next couple of months.
Securing a suitable premises was not without difficulty. She described the process as frustrating at times, citing the number of vacant and derelict buildings in Athlone that are not available for sale or development.
“It has been eye-opening and disappointing to discover that many properties with real potential are not being brought to market,” she said, adding that stronger measures may be needed to address long-term vacancy in the town centre.
“It makes me very concerned about the future progression of our town into the next generation, and all efforts must be made to remove the ghosts from our streets, whether by enforcement of the vacant property taxes, or by lobbying building owners to set them free.”
For McGowan, the move also marks a personal milestone. Raised on the Westside of Athlone, she worked part-time with her aunt and uncle in O'Meara's Bookmakers on Connaught Street. She was also well known locally for her singing, frequently performing at events and with the folk group in St Peter’s Church.
She and her husband, Liam Heavin, returned to Athlone in 2015 to raise their family. Heavin established a branch of his physiotherapy practice, DBC Healthcare, in Arcadia, while McGowan launched Ashen & Cloud three years later.
“Even though I initially felt there might not be a market for what I do outside of major cities, I set up the business in 2018 and haven’t looked back,” she said.
Looking ahead, McGowan said her focus is on building a strong, supportive base for her team and continuing to deliver high-quality projects nationally and internationally, while welcoming clients to Athlone.
"I hope that I will have built a beautiful home for our team, where their work is supported, and their surroundings are engaging, both inside and outside the office," she said.
"I hope to continue to work on unique and interesting projects, which are at a standard comparable to the top design houses of the world, and to welcome clients to our town from near and far."
McGowan believes there is significant potential for regeneration on the Westside of the town and said she hopes the company’s move will contribute in some way to that progress.
“The Connaught street community group is an incredible team, led by their dedicated residents, who are steadfastly determined to preserve the unique heritage of the area and advocate for its future.
“There is also a once-in-a-generation opportunity to acquire and develop property here, where there is still actual value. Soon it will be the artisanal hub of the town, building upon the well-established cultural hub of the Left Bank, and it will be an even more exciting place to both live and work.
“Athlone is an incredible town, with so much future potential, and now is our time to help capitalise on its future. As the saying goes: a rising tide lifts all boats.”