Athlone native uncovers original signage on historic Westside building

Athlone native Susan McGowan has uncovered the original signage on 7 O’Connell St, as she prepares the building for a new chapter as a design studio for her business Ashen & Cloud.

Founded in 2018, Ashen & Cloud 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.

Speaking about the discovery of the original signage, Susan said it was "hard to believe it was ever allowed to be covered".

"We are currently deep in the process of renovating and restoring 7 O’Connell St, Athlone, as our new design studio.

"We uncovered original signage from 1836, buried under 150 years of paint. A delightful surprise, and further reaffirms our good fortune to be the custodians this building, one of the first branches of the National Bank of Ireland, founded in 1835 by Daniel O’Connell."

The building began life as a branch of the National Bank, and has since served as a Bishop’s residence, the Sammon family hair salon, and, most recently, as the Training for Employment centre.

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.