'A major opportunity': Kildare County Council 'in the final stages' of acquiring Moore Abbey

Kildare County Council (KCC) is now 'in the final stages' of acquiring Moore Abbey, according to a Senator based in Kildare South.

Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O’Loughlin described the confirmation that KCC is in the final stages of acquiring Moore Abbey in Monasterevin as a 'breakthrough for the local community'.

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Previously, in February, it was reported that KCC reached an agreement in principle to convert one area located within the grounds of Moore Abbey into a new fire station (An allocation of €3 million in funding was also announced for the station last week).

And now, according to Senator O'Loughlin, KCC has confirmed that it is now 'in the final stages' of progressing the acquisition of the site (including its lands and buildings) from the trustees of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, with the intention of bringing it into use for the benefit of the community.

It is understood the process is being carried out with the aid of the autism support organisation, the Muiríosa Foundation, with the group set to remain on site for a period following the transfer.

Welcoming the latest development, Senator O'Loughlin said: "This is something I have been pushing for a long time so it is very encouraging to see real progress now being made.

"Moore Abbey is a major asset for our community in the heart of Monasterevin and people have always recognised its potential. We now have the chance to make the most of that.

"The key priority now is to keep momentum and once the deal is complete we need to move quickly to bring the grounds back into use for the community."

Senator O’Loughlin also claimed that the scale of the site presents 'a major opportunity' for the region: "There’s enormous potential here, from walking routes and green spaces to recreational facilities; it could become a really important amenity not just for Monasterevin, but for the wider area.

"At the same time, it’s important to say that the Muiríosa Foundation does incredibly valuable work, and that must continue to be supported.

"There is more than enough space to allow both to happen; this is about using the site in a way that works for everyone."

She further said: "Projects like this don’t come along very often; this is a chance to do something genuinely transformative for the town."

"People want to see Moore Abbey opened up, used and enjoyed, and now we’re closer than ever to making that happen," Senator O'Loughlin concluded.

Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O'Loughlin. File photograph

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