The Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) and Monaghan County Council have signed a grant agreement to progress the long‑standing plan to conserve and repurpose the St Louis Convent Chapel as a new creative and community space for Monaghan. The €7 million in funding is provided under the THRIVE scheme, part of the Northern and Western Regional Programme and co‑funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.
The agreement was signed on the 27th January 2026 by Paddy Austin, Assistant Director of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, and Robert Burns, Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council.
St Louis Convent Chapel is a distinctive example of Irish institutional Gothic Revival architecture, valued for its artistic and cultural significance and its strong historical links to the social and economic life of Monaghan. The redevelopment will conserve the building’s heritage fabric while adapting it to serve contemporary community needs.
The project will deliver a flexible, multi‑use facility including performance and presentation spaces, meeting and event rooms, living‑lab areas, and spaces for artists, start‑ups, and community organisations. The plan also includes significant public‑realm improvements that will create high‑quality pedestrian connections with Monaghan Town Centre. Monaghan County Council previously received THRIVE Strand 1 funding to develop a Town Centre First Plan and undertake public consultation that informed the proposal to transform the St Louis Convent Chapel into a community hub, café, and living lab.
Pictured at the THRIVE Funding Contract for St Louis Chapel Redevelopment are representives from Monaghan County Council, Northern and Western Regional Assembly.
THRIVE — which has an initial allocation of €30.7 million — supports local authorities in re‑imagining town centres and transforming publicly owned vacant or derelict heritage buildings through renovation, renewal, and adaptive reuse. All projects must embed the principles of the New European Bauhaus, ensuring that funded developments are sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful.
Welcoming the signing of the Grant Agreement, Conall McGettigan, A/Director of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, said:
“The Regional Assemblies support balanced regional development and the revitalisation of towns as outlined in our Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies. Today’s agreement is a strong example of how ERDF funding can assist heritage regeneration in key urban centres, enabling local authorities and their communities to revitalise landmark heritage assets across our region.”
Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Cllr PJ O’Hanlon, said:
“Today’s signing is a major milestone for Monaghan. The St Louis Chapel is one of our town’s most meaningful heritage assets, and securing this level of investment is a strong statement of confidence in our future. It shows what can be achieved when community vision, collaboration, and long‑term planning come together, and I am delighted to see this project moving firmly into delivery.”
Cathaoirleach of Monaghan MD, Cllr Séamus Treanor, said:
“This project has been shaped by the community from the outset. Local residents, community groups, artists and voluntary organisations played a vital role in articulating what this building should become, and their input has ensured the redevelopment reflects real community needs. The chapel will once again be a place of gathering and participation—an open, welcoming space that supports creativity, learning and social connection at the heart of Monaghan Town.”
Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council, Robert Burns said:
“This funding allows us to move confidently from vision to detailed delivery. Projects involving protected structures demand careful planning, strong financial backing and a clear strategy for conservation and adaptation. This investment provides the certainty required to proceed with design, statutory approvals, procurement and construction, ensuring that the restored chapel will be both architecturally respectful and of lasting value to the community.”
Learn more about the THRIVE scheme: https://www.nwra.ie/erdf/schemes/thrive/
The agreement was signed on the 27th January 2026 by Paddy Austin, Assistant Director of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, and Robert Burns, Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council.
St Louis Convent Chapel is a distinctive example of Irish institutional Gothic Revival architecture, valued for its artistic and cultural significance and its strong historical links to the social and economic life of Monaghan. The redevelopment will conserve the building’s heritage fabric while adapting it to serve contemporary community needs.
The project will deliver a flexible, multi‑use facility including performance and presentation spaces, meeting and event rooms, living‑lab areas, and spaces for artists, start‑ups, and community organisations. The plan also includes significant public‑realm improvements that will create high‑quality pedestrian connections with Monaghan Town Centre. Monaghan County Council previously received THRIVE Strand 1 funding to develop a Town Centre First Plan and undertake public consultation that informed the proposal to transform the St Louis Convent Chapel into a community hub, café, and living lab.
Pictured at the THRIVE Funding Contract for St Louis Chapel Redevelopment are representives from Monaghan County Council, Northern and Western Regional Assembly.
THRIVE — which has an initial allocation of €30.7 million — supports local authorities in re‑imagining town centres and transforming publicly owned vacant or derelict heritage buildings through renovation, renewal, and adaptive reuse. All projects must embed the principles of the New European Bauhaus, ensuring that funded developments are sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful.
Welcoming the signing of the Grant Agreement, Conall McGettigan, A/Director of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, said:
“The Regional Assemblies support balanced regional development and the revitalisation of towns as outlined in our Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies. Today’s agreement is a strong example of how ERDF funding can assist heritage regeneration in key urban centres, enabling local authorities and their communities to revitalise landmark heritage assets across our region.”
Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Cllr PJ O’Hanlon, said:
“Today’s signing is a major milestone for Monaghan. The St Louis Chapel is one of our town’s most meaningful heritage assets, and securing this level of investment is a strong statement of confidence in our future. It shows what can be achieved when community vision, collaboration, and long‑term planning come together, and I am delighted to see this project moving firmly into delivery.”
Cathaoirleach of Monaghan MD, Cllr Séamus Treanor, said:
“This project has been shaped by the community from the outset. Local residents, community groups, artists and voluntary organisations played a vital role in articulating what this building should become, and their input has ensured the redevelopment reflects real community needs. The chapel will once again be a place of gathering and participation—an open, welcoming space that supports creativity, learning and social connection at the heart of Monaghan Town.”
Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council, Robert Burns said:
“This funding allows us to move confidently from vision to detailed delivery. Projects involving protected structures demand careful planning, strong financial backing and a clear strategy for conservation and adaptation. This investment provides the certainty required to proceed with design, statutory approvals, procurement and construction, ensuring that the restored chapel will be both architecturally respectful and of lasting value to the community.”
Learn more about the THRIVE scheme: https://www.nwra.ie/erdf/schemes/thrive/