Councillors give final approval for ‘Tír na nÓg’ building in Waterford city
Plans for the building were approved at a Special Meeting of the Waterford Metropolitan District yesterday
Local councillors have given their final approval for the development of a ‘Tír na nÓg’ building in Waterford city.
18 Lady Lane is set to be transformed into a ‘children’s experience’ after plans were approved at a Special Meeting of the Waterford Metropolitan District yesterday.
Tír na nÓg - named after the mythical ‘Land of the Young’ - will be designed as an “immersive journey through the concept of childhood”.
The experience will explore “historical narratives, cultural traditions, and the evolving role of children in society”.
Visitors will engage with a series of interactive exhibits, including a doll’s house where digital screens in the windows will create the illusion of life inside.
Morris Conway, Senior Architect at Waterford City and County Council, made a presentation on the development at the meeting.
Mr Conway described it as a “difficult project”, given the historical nature of the building.
He said that the new development would focus on re-using and adapting what was once an “important town house in the city”.
The existing layout of the three-storey building will be maintained with only one staircase being added.
The former dining room of the building is set to become home to a café, with a shop also set to be contained within the building.
Most notably, a new large room will be constructed underground, with space to accommodate 30 or 40 children.
This underground building will have a direct view of the city walls, including a wall walk which was only recently uncovered.
There will be no changes to the front facade, bar a potential change in paint colour.
There will be some change to the rear facade though, with a lift shaft to be added. This is to ensure each floor of the building is accessible for all users of the building.
The rear will also contain a terrace looking down onto the nearby Spring Garden Alley.
The development, which was first proposed a number of years ago, received widespread support from the elected members.
Independent councillor David Daniels said the building has been “such an eyesore for years” and that the plans for it “look fantastic”.
Similarly, independent councillor Joe Kelly said it was “great to see” an old building coming back to life, adding that it “looks brilliant”.
However, Cllr Kelly requested that the council engage with the residents of Spring Garden Alley with regards the development, particularly around potential construction noise.
In response, Mr Conway said that the residents of Spring Garden Alley had issued a letter of support in relation to the development.
He added that the council has engaged and will continue to engage with the residents.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil councillor Eamon Quinlan raised concerns over road safety on Lady Lane, given that it will be mostly children using the building.
He said that the road was “quite a tight lane” and asked whether the council had any plans for traffic calming measures in the area.
Mr Conway agreed with these remarks and noted that there are bollards at the top of Lady Lane which could be used to stop the flow of traffic in certain instances.
Cllr Quinlan also suggested that the building could be used as an overflow for the nearby library, as well as for events being hosted by Waterford Treasures.
In response, the council architect said that Waterford Libraries are “very excited” at the prospect of the development.
He added that there has also been engagement with the Waterford Cultural Quarter and Waterford Treasures on the future use of the building.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil councillor Jason Murphy said that the plans for the building were “very exciting” and “badly needed”.
Cllr Murphy expressed hope that the building would become a catalyst for the regeneration of that entire area of the city.
Local councillors then voted to proceed with the development, with it being proposed by Cllr Seamus Ryan and seconded by Cllr David Daniels.
Mr Conway told the meeting that the next step for the council is to apply for ministerial consent to carry out excavations at the site.
After that, the local authority will have to apply for ministerial consent to begin construction.
Mr Conway said that the council hopes to begin the construction of the project in January or February of this year.
He added that it is estimated that construction will then take between 18 and 20 months to complete.