We are delighted to announce that Kildare Co. Council has granted planning permission for our next project on Main Street Monasterevin.
The Gahan’s Tavern and the Gerard Manley Hopkins buildings are located on Main Street, Monasterevin, near Market Square and within an Architectural Conservation Area. Our vision is to enhance the vibrancy and activation of Monasterevin’s Main Street and Market Square area.
The redevelopment will consist of 3 parts:
Existing Buildings to Main Street – Greengrocers & Bar
Alterations to the existing buildings facing onto Main Street will be improved, and larger windows added to allow natural light and views to and from the footpath. A shop-front display area in the window is proposed adding to the street activity and interest for the passerby. The spaces will be converted into a Greengrocer selling the best of Co. Kildare & local products and a bar area to support the night-time dining facilities.
Café/ Restaurant/ Outdoor Courtyard
To develop a walled courtyard to provide a Market Square styled development with a café/restaurant that opens out into an outdoor seating area. The café/restaurant will offer the perfect place to meet with friends, enjoy a family meal or break along the Barrow Blueway.
Upstairs in the building will compromise two private dining rooms, creating space for people to enjoy an intimate setting for social events.
The outdoor space can be activated at times during the year as a Market space. Three small buildings are proposed in the courtyard and are raised up on stilts so that the area underneath is free for activities and as a shelter for outside seating served by the café and views to the existing wall are uninterrupted and a new connection into the Watermill Place car park.
Tourist Accommodation
The development will include 13 short-stay tourist accommodation units with independent access from the courtyard. Each self-contained pod will have keyless entry, kitchenette and bicycle parking.
These pods will have the benefit of the nearby café/ restaurant.
It is envisaged that this accommodation would be of interest to people exploring the surrounding Barrow Blueway along the Grand Canal and River Barrow on foot or cycling, providing a base for these activities. The site is within walking distance of the railway station and buses. Nearly all the rooms have views of St John’s Church Tower. The front façade is a screen of Corten Steel angle with shutters that can be opened and closed to the view and light. The sliding windows and small opening shutters are located to capture and frame the view to the Church Tower while restricting overlooking of neighbouring properties.
We look forward to getting started on this new chapter and creating a new must-visit destination for Monasterevin.
Follow along for updates on our journey!
