Plan to turn historic convent in Mayo into community facility moves forward with planning application submitted

A community group has submitted a planning application to Mayo County Council outlining major plans to revive the 150‑year‑old former Convent The convent, which was built in 1876 and is a protected structure, closed its doors in 2008. It remained vacant for more than 15 years, during which time the historic building fell into a state of dereliction.In 2024, the Sisters of Mercy gifted their former home to community group Ballina Convent Regeneration CLG, with the aim of restoring the landmark building as a community hub and breathing new life into the site.The Sisters of Mercy, Western Province approached Senator Mark Duffy, then a councillor, with the idea of developing a regeneration project for the convent.Senator Duffy is now part of the regeneration group, alongside Vincent Lang, Father Aidan O’Boyle and Mr Pat Flynn, who are collectively undertaking an extensive revival project on the 150-year-old building.With support from a wide range of organisations, including University College Dublin Centre for Irish Towns, University of Notre Dame Church Property Division, the Heritage Council, and the Ballina Community Clean-Up Group, among others, initial improvement works have already been carried out on site.These works allowed the regeneration group to reopen the convent grounds to the public.Since taking ownership, the group has welcomed a number of community organisations to the site, including the Ballina Men’s Shed, Ballina Involve CLG and the Ballina First Responders.In October 2025, the grounds also hosted the first-ever ‘Ballina Pumpkin Patch’, organised by the Ballina Lights Committee.Now, following the submission of the planning application, the group’s long-term vision for the site has become clearer.The proposals set out plans to expand community facilities and restore the historic North Mayo building into a multi-use space for the whole community.A planning application submitted by Ballina Convent Regeneration CLG outlines extensive proposals for the site.Firstly, it is looking for permission to change the use of the ground floor of the former convent and education campus to community facilities, along with the construction of a two-bedroom apartment.The apartment would be used by residents who are involved in the day-to-day operation and management of the community facilities.Proposed community facilities include the continued use of the existing chapel for prayer and worship, as well as the retention of kitchen, dining and meeting rooms.The application includes plans to develop the onsite Gatehouse into accommodation. Photo: Google ImagesAdditional uses outlined in the application include counselling and therapy services, meeting and training rooms, music and arts facilities, sanitary facilities and the development of a community courtyard.Refurbishment works would involve the installation of new mechanical, electrical and drainage services throughout the building, together with the installation of solar panels on the convent’s flat roof and sections of the pitched roofs.Conservation works are also proposed to safeguard the historic fabric of the protected structure.The application is also seeking permission to construct a new single-storey steel shed, which would be used as a carpentry workshop and for storage purposes.The plan further proposes a change of use of the former St Mary’s and St Anne’s school buildings on the site to community facilities. These works would also include external upgrades, such as insulation and the installation of solar panels.If approved, plans would see the existing onsite Gatehouse brought back into use as a residential dwelling.Works on the Gatehouse would include refurbishment of the existing structure, the development of a two-bedroom extension, the installation of solar panels, the provision of a new parking area and the creation of an access road from within the convent grounds.Similar to the proposed two-bedroom apartment, The Gatehouse would also be occupied by residents who support the operation of the community facilities.The application is also looking to install steel palisade fencing in certain areas of the site, with cast-iron, heritage-style fencing proposed in more sensitive locations.Finally, the plans include the creation of a new car park across the main site with capacity for 60 vehicles, the installation of a new fuel tank, all associated site works, and new signage to direct visitors to the site.A decision on the application is due to be made by Sunday, April 12, 2026.This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.

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