Tourist hostel and café plan for old Shannonbridge school

A tourist hostel, office space and a cafe is in the offing for Shannonbridge, it's emerged as part of exciting new plans unveiled for the old school in the picturesque village.

Shannonbridge Action Group, in a newly published planning notice, has indicated that it proposes to apply for planning permission for the project at the former Oliver Plunkett National School site.

During the summer, the first draft conceptual drawing for the revamp of the building was presented to the local community by the group. It said at the time that the premises ultimately would be transformed into a multi-use centre, with accommodation elements, summer and winter schools and leasing opportunities for local businesses.

It followed the compilation of a report investigating possible future uses for the historic building and consultation with local people.

Now, the newly revealed plans indicate that the project to rejuvenate a long vacant building would involve the demolition of an existing single-storey extension to the former school house, a protected structure, and refurbishment of the premises and minor alterations for community use, according to the planning notice.

Another single-storey extension to the protected structure, also for community use, is envisaged to encompass office space and a cafe.

A standalone building for use as a tourist hostel is the other major element of the project, to be housed in a new part single-storey and part two-storey building with dining facilities.

External works would consist of public road improvements including widening and resurfacing of the existing footway and carriageway, realignment of the R357 Cloghan Road between Raghra Park and the R444 to facilitate off-site car parking.

A new vehicular entrance would also be provided to the site from the Cloghan Road. The planning notice also refers to the creation of a public realm to the front of the old school house and landscaping throughout the site.