Former Banagher convent to accommodate Ukrainian refugees

Preparations are underway to accommodate around 100 people fleeing the war in Ukraine at the former La Sainte Union convent building in Banagher, it has been confirmed.

The former convent is now understood to be in private ownership, and work has been taking place recently to get it ready for its new use.

The residents of the building are expected to move in from November, a spokesperson for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth said today (Thursday).

Responding to a query from the Offaly Independent, the spokesperson said: "The Department has accepted an offer of accommodation at Main St, Banagher, Co Offaly.

"This accommodation has a capacity of approximately 100 beds, and it is planned that residents will be accommodated from November 2023. The residency will be made up of beneficiaries of temporary protection fleeing the conflict in Ukraine."

The spokesperson added that the Department was focused on "the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here".

"To date, more than 90,000 beneficiaries of temporary protection have arrived in Ireland and just in excess of 69,000 of those have been referred to this Department seeking accommodation from the State," he said.

Local councillor John Leahy told the Offaly Independent he had "no difficulty with accommodating Ukrainians, and naturally enough I'm very supportive of women and children being accommodated".

However, he expressed reservations about the longer-term use of facilities such as the former convent in Banagher, speculating that they could be turned into permanent accommodation centres for people arriving into the county.

"We have set a precedent in most towns and villages where these facilities will be nothing but that now," he commented.

The La Sainte Union order came to Banagher in 1863, but its secondary school closed in 2007 when it amalgamated with St Rynagh's Community College.

The convent building, which covers a total of approximately 14,110 square feet was advertised for sale in 2020.