St Brigid’s land sale process ‘imminent’
By Rebekah O'Reilly
The advertisement of a substantial portion of the former St Brigid’s Hospital lands in Ballinasloe for sale on the open market is now imminent, according to Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane.
The HSE is in the process of finalising arrangements for the disposal of lands and buildings at the former psychiatric hospital, with some lands expected to be transferred to the Department of Education and Galway County Council for future development.
Deputy Kerrane said the transfer of those lands would be a positive development for Ballinasloe, as it would allow them to be put to use.
“We've been waiting for an update from the HSE as to lands they are going to retain, and lands they are going to dispose of,” she said.
“Some of the lands they are going to dispose of are going to the Department of Education and Galway County Council, which are really welcome because that means they'll be developed on. That will be positive for Ballinasloe.”
However, she said the remaining lands earmarked for disposal would be placed on the open market. “That is now imminent,” she said.
The Sinn Féin politician said the advertisement represented the first significant progress in the sale process and stressed the importance of ensuring that the former hospital site delivered benefits for the local community.
“We have to make sure we get as much as possible from the St Brigid's site for the benefit of the people of Ballinasloe. It is so important that we see services and supports on that site. This is another step in the right direction in terms of these lands being used for the benefit of the people.”
Plans to dispose of a large portion of the former St Brigid’s Hospital site were first revealed in 2019. However, it was not until 2023 that the HSE sought to appoint specialist property service providers to prepare open-market valuations of the lands.
The extensive landbank is regarded locally as a significant opportunity for the regeneration and future development of Ballinasloe. It comprises a mixture of undeveloped lands and existing buildings totalling more than 31,500 square metres (340,000 square feet), across approximately 91 hectares (225 acres).
In 2023, the HSE indicated that it intended to retain part of the site for the potential future development of healthcare facilities. The majority of the buildings and lands in the central section of the former St Brigid’s Psychiatric Hospital, however, were being considered for disposal.
Last October, the HSE confirmed that O'Donnellan & Joyce had been appointed as sales agent and that it was finalising its procurement strategy, including recommendations for the disposal process.
The former hospital has a long history dating back almost two centuries. St Brigid’s opened as the Connaught Asylum in 1833, initially providing accommodation for 150 patients. In 1850, it became the Ballinasloe District Asylum, serving the counties of Galway and Roscommon.
The complex expanded considerably over subsequent decades, with new buildings and wings added in the 19th century, along with a Roman Catholic chapel, dining hall, laundry, school and farm buildings.
The hospital continued to operate as a long-stay psychiatric facility into the 21st century until it closed in 2013.
The site has been the subject of discussion for a number of years. A workshop initiated by then TD Denis Naughten produced proposals for a multi-use campus incorporating a museum and heritage site, research and training facilities, a wellness village and trails, alongside commercial, educational and training uses.
The former hospital lands are identified as a regeneration site in the Ballinasloe Local Area Plan 2022-2028.