Building work starting on 55 apartments at Marist College site in Athlone

Construction work is to begin this month on a project that will see the former Our Lady’s Hermitage building at the Marist College being transformed into a social housing development of 55 apartments for older people.

The Hermitage building, a protected structure on the grounds of the all-boys secondary school in Athlone, has been idle for many years. It is currently in poor condition and was badly damaged by a fire in 2018.

The Dublin-based housing agency Tuath is behind the renovation and expansion of the premises to create 55 apartments for older people.

The work will see 28 apartments being developed in the building while a new three-storey apartment block will incorporate 27 apartments and community rooms.

The project went to tender last autumn, with the value of the contract estimated at €8m. Galway-based O'Connell Contracts Ltd has been appointed as the contractor.

In response to a query from the Westmeath Independent, a spokesperson for Tuath Housing said it was hoped the new housing at the site would be fully completed by September 2028.

"Tuath is pleased to announce the commencement of the delivery phase of the redevelopment of the former Marist site in Athlone, following the recent appointment of O'Connell Contracts Ltd as main contractor," Tuath Housing stated.

"With construction works expected to commence in mid-September, Tuath looks forward to working closely with Westmeath County Council and project stakeholders to deliver 55 much-needed age-friendly homes for older persons and those with specific housing and support needs in the area."

The statement added: "Over the anticipated 24-month construction programme, the project will not only deliver much-needed housing but will also preserve and revitalise an important part of Athlone's built heritage."

The tender documents issued last autumn stated that the site works will include footpath construction, building extension work, construction work for housing, demolition, site preparation and clearance work, plumbing and sanitary works, and building installation work.

In October 2024, councillors paved the way for the project by approving a contravention of the Athlone Town Development Plan to allow the site be used for housing. The land had been zoned for 'educational, community and institutional use' previously.

Recommending the zoning change, Westmeath County Council chief executive Barry Kehoe said: "The Marist hermitage has been disused for a number of years, has been the subject of vandalism on occasion, and has been falling into disrepair.

Mr Kehoe said the project would not affect plans for a new Marist College school. He said the council was "very much aware of the future development of a new school on the (Marist) lands," and that this been taken into consideration.