Monaghan County Council signs €7 million contract for St Louis redevelopment

Monaghan County Council this week signed contracts with the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, at the Peace Campus, Monaghan, securing a transformative €7.0 million investment for the redevelopment of the former St Louis Chapel.

This major funding allocation is provided under the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme (THRIVE) and is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021–27.

The project is a flagship element of Monaghan’s St Louis Lands masterplan and follows extensive public engagement undertaken through Town Centre First – Monaghan. The signing marks a significant milestone in the effort to restore and repurpose the long derelict St Louis Chapel into a vibrant, multifunctional community asset that will act as a cornerstone for Monaghan Town.

Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Cllr PJ O’Hanlon, said at the signing which took place on Tuesday: “Today’s signing is a major milestone for Monaghan. The St Louis Chapel is one of our town’s most meaningful heritage assets, and securing this level of investment is a strong statement of confidence in our future.

"It shows what can be achieved when community vision, collaboration, and long-term planning come together, and I am delighted to see this project moving firmly into delivery.”

The redevelopment forms a central component of Monaghan County Council’s long-term vision for the St Louis Lands, a 21-acre publicly owned heritage campus acquired by the Council in 2024.

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The site includes the former convent, nursing home, national school, lake, and forest grounds, making it one of the county’s most significant heritage clusters and an important opportunity for cultural, social and economic renewal.

Cathaoirleach of Monaghan MD, Cllr Séamus Treanor, said:“This project has been shaped by the community from the outset. Local residents, community groups, artists and voluntary organisations played a vital role in articulating what this building should become, and their input has ensured the redevelopment reflects real community needs.

"The chapel will once again be a place of gathering and participation—an open, welcoming space that supports creativity, learning and social connection at the heart of Monaghan Town.”

The redevelopment will see the historic chapel sensitively restored and brought back into active use, transforming it into a centre for creativity, innovation and community activity. It will include multi-purpose performance, event and meeting spaces, exhibition areas, a café, ancillary facilities and improved internal circulation designed to welcome visitors and support a wide range of uses.

Chief Executive Robert Burns said:“This funding allows us to move confidently from vision to detailed delivery. Projects involving protected structures demand careful planning, strong financial backing and a clear strategy for conservation and adaptation.

"This investment provides the certainty required to proceed with design, statutory approvals, procurement and construction, ensuring that the restored chapel will be both architecturally respectful and of lasting value to the community.”

The project will follow a conservation led approach that honours the building’s historical and architectural significance while adapting it to contemporary needs. It will also enhance pedestrian connectivity between the St Louis Lands and Monaghan Town Centre, strengthening the cultural and community spine of the area.

Director of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, Conall McGettigan, said:“The Regional Assemblies support balanced regional development and the revitalisation of towns as outlined in our Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies.

"Today’s agreement is a strong example of how ERDF funding can assist heritage regeneration in key urban centres, enabling local authorities and their communities to revitalise landmark heritage assets across our region.”

Ultimately, the restored chapel will not only preserve an important part of Monaghan’s architectural and cultural heritage but will also create a shared community space that fosters creativity, learning and connection — renewing a place that has been central to Monaghan’s story for generations.