The project consists of the conservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse of a vacant and derelict building, the former St Finian’s Seminary Study Hall (and former St Patrick’s Classical School), an important Protected Structure in the heart of Navan. The design for St Finian’s Seminary Study Hall is to convert this building into a new Community Hub and County Archive. The surrounding public realm will be restored in line with the natural gradient of the space to create a natural amphitheatre and along with the renovated hand ball alley will provide outdoor space for cultural and artistic performances and events and will provide linkages to other cultural buildings in its proximity and the historic core town. The community hub will be used for community meetings, workshops, classes and training and it will also act as a community exhibition space. The County archive will provide an appropriate space to store historical records, photographic collections and industrial heritage collections which will be available for academics, schools, historians, archaeologists and citizens free of charge.
Welcoming the funding, Kieran Kehoe, Chief Executive of Meath County Council, said: “I am delighted to welcome €7 million of funding under THRIVE. Following significant citizen and stakeholder engagement, the exploration, preservation, conservation, and potential end uses were workshopped. This led to the design for St Finian’s Seminary Study which was co-created by the citizens and stakeholders in Navan in line with the Town Centre First Framework. This transformative, integrated urban regeneration project will greatly enhance the town's social, cultural, economic, heritage, and environmental assets, making it an even better place to live, work, and visit. The funding will support our work in adapting and reusing a vacant and derelict heritage building and allow us to create a beautiful, sustainable, and inclusive space to improve the quality of life of our citizens.”
Cathaoirleach Cllr. Sharon Tolan added: “I would like to commend all involved in the funding application and its success. This funding will make a massive difference. This new community hub and County archive will create a permanent, designated, inclusive archive space, available free of charge, which will create new opportunities for the people of Meath and beyond to connect with their history. It will also provide an exciting new space with huge potential for community, civic, and creative engagement with the citizens of Navan.”
THRIVE, the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme is awarded under Ireland’s two European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Regional Programmes. THRIVE was developed by the Southern Regional Assembly and the Northern & Western Regional Assembly, working closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage. The funding aims to allow Local Authorities and citizens to reimagine and revitalise town centres through the renovation and adaptive reuse of vacant or derelict heritage buildings in public control or ownership.
THRIVE is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union under the Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021-2027.