Multi-million euro plans unveiled for former Ennis hospital, including 160 new homes

Our Lady's Hospital closed in March 2002

Plans unveiled for development at the former Our Lady’s Hospital site in Ennis. Picture: Developers Walsh & Sheehan Investments

Plans have been unveiled for a multi-million euro redevelopment of the former Our Lady's Hospital site in Ennis.

A large-scale residential development application is due to be submitted to Clare County Council for Páirc Mhuire, a project which would be located at the former hospital site.

The project consists of a mixed-use community development, including homes, public amenities, as well as commercial space. Overall, estimated costs for the development are between €35m and €40m.

Described as the largest adaptive re-use project of its kind in Ireland to date, the development plans include over 160 new homes.

More than 20,000sq ft of commercial space is also proposed in the plans, as well as a crèche facility and other amenities.

The existing church on the site will be converted into a community building, as Developers Walsh & Sheehan Investments Group said historic facades and key features of the former hospital building would be preserved.

Designed by William Fogerty, Our Lady's Hospital opened as the Ennis Asylum in 1832, before becoming Ennis Mental Hospital in the 1920s.

Renamed Our Lady's Hospital in the 1950s, it closed in March 2002.