Tuath Housing has marked the start of works to convert Mount Saint Mary’s Convent in Westport into 18 homes for older people and smaller households, with the historic building’s chapel and architectural features set to be preserved.
A former convent in Westport, County Mayo, is being transformed into housing as part of a project to provide 18 age-friendly homes while protecting an important historic building.
Tuath Housing has marked the commencement of works at Mount Saint Mary’s Convent on Altamont Street. The project will restore and repurpose the former Convent of Mercy building for residential use.
Funded through the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s Capital Assistance Scheme, the development is being delivered in partnership with Mayo County Council.
The completed project will provide 16 one-bedroom homes and two two-bedroom homes, intended for older people and smaller households.
The redevelopment will also retain the building’s historic character, with the former chapel set to become a shared communal space for residents.
18 homes planned for older people and smaller households
The development will provide a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom accommodation, offering housing suited to people who may not require larger family homes.
Age-friendly housing is an important part of planning for an ageing population, particularly where older people need suitable accommodation that supports independent living and access to local services.
The Mount Saint Mary’s project will reuse an existing building rather than rely solely on new-build construction. Its eventual contribution to local housing supply will depend on the completion of the works and the homes becoming available to residents.
The project details announced by Tuath Housing do not specify a completion date or when applications for the homes will open.
Historic convent features to be preserved
The redevelopment is designed to retain significant architectural and heritage features of the former convent, which is a protected structure.
According to the project details, the building’s façades and roofscape, chapel, stained-glass windows, decorative plasterwork, original joinery and staircases will be retained and restored as the property is adapted for housing.
The entrance gates, graveyard, mature trees and established landscape setting will also be protected.
Preserving these features while converting the building into homes will allow the former convent to serve a new residential purpose without removing its historic character.
The chapel will be transformed into a communal area for residents, providing shared space within the development.
Partnership behind the redevelopment
Tuath Housing is leading the project in partnership with Mayo County Council, with funding provided through the Capital Assistance Scheme administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The scheme supports the provision of housing for eligible groups, including older people and people with specific accommodation needs, through approved housing projects.
The Westport development combines public funding, local-authority involvement and an approved housing body to bring an existing property back into residential use.
Reusing existing buildings to provide housing
The conversion of Mount Saint Mary’s Convent illustrates how existing buildings can contribute to housing provision when they can be adapted for residential use.
Projects of this kind must balance the requirements of modern accommodation with the conservation of historic structures. In Westport, the planned retention of the chapel, original architectural details and surrounding landscape forms part of that approach.
The 18 homes will add to the range of accommodation planned for older people and smaller households in County Mayo.
The next milestone will be the completion of the redevelopment and the availability of the homes to prospective residents.
Source: Tuath Housing project announcement, as reported by Midwest Radio.
