Former Birr courthouse to become creative hub

Offaly County Council has published details of its plans for the refurbishment and development of Birr Courthouse, with the intention of transforming it into a “creative hub” for visual artists, writers, and performers.

The Part 8 plans, which allow for the application of planning permission for projects which are to be carried out by the council, were published last week and outline details of the works to be carried out on the landmark protected structure on Emmet Street.

These include refurbishment works to the existing former courthouse building to provide for multi-purpose spaces, offices and meeting rooms and a small infill extension to the rear of the building, measuring c. 403sqm.

The proposed works also include the construction of a two-storey fire escape stairs to the rear of the building; a single-storey shed within the rear yard measuring c105sqm; external lighting and the provision of one accessible car parking space to the rear of the site.

Offaly County Council Director of Services, Anne Dillon, told the July meeting of the local authority that that the council had acquired ownership of Birr Courthouse in 2021, and a Masterplan had been prepared for the future use of the building.

“Slight changes will need to the made to the building in relation to energy improvements and disabled access” she said, adding that it was intended that the building would have “mixed uses.”

Ms Dillon said plans for Birr Courthouse would go out for public consultation “in early August” and would be brought before the October meeting of the council for approval.

Members of the public can make submission or observations on the proposed plans for Birr Courthouse for a period of six weeks, beginning on August 8, with plans being available for inspection in the county council office on Charleville Road, Tullamore, and and the offices of Birr Municipal District, for the next four weeks.

Ambitious plans to transform the former Birr Courthouse into a visual, digital and performance arts hub were first unveiled to the public as far back as October 2019 by chief executive of Offaly County Council, Anna Marie Delaney.

Just over a year later, tenders were sought for a Conservation Masterplan for the building which dates back to 1909, and has lain idle since it was closed in 2013. It was agreed to transfer ownership of the building from the OPW to Offaly County Council, who worked in conjunction with the Birr 2020 group on a project to develop an arts hub in the building to be known as ‘Birr Creative Court.’

The plans drawn up by the local authority and Birr 2020 included a general studio space; artist studios; a multi-functional space for dance and rehearsal; exhibition space and a community art space.

According to a report on the potential of Birr Courthouse, the overall concept was to create “a cooperative and supportive working environment for creative artists, nurtured by the artistic and cultural community of the town, inspired by the heritage and history of Birr, and supported through specific residency programmes and grant-aided initiatives.”

The proposed project attracted €200,000 in funding under the 2021 Historic Towns Initiative, which Offaly County Council said would be used to carry out urgent roof repairs to the 19th century courthouse to prevent water ingress and also for works to the façade of the building.