Kildare Co Council make a move on O’Modhrain Hall

THE future of the derelict O’Modhrain Hall in Newbridge may be made clearer in May after Kildare County Council slapped a Compulsory Acquisition Order on it under the Derelict Sites Act.

The Hall on Cutlery Street, whose recent provenance has skirted some controversy, was originally dedicated to Eamonn Ó Modhráin, a local figure of national importance in the Irish National Revival Movement, was meant to serve as a hub for fostering Irish culture, education, and youth activities within Newbridge.

Following its sale last year by the trustees to a local developer, over €213,000 in proceeds had to be adjudicated upon by the Charities Commission, and there were fears locally that this money might go to a fund restricted by Conradhn a Gaelige.

However, according to a local campaigner – a daughter of a former Trustee – Orla O’Neil “Conradhn a Gaelige called me in November and said they wouldn’t take the money”.

“We [campaigners] wanted it to go to Crooked House [local youth theatre] but we haven’t heard anything since October,” she said.

“The developer didn’t seem to be doing anything with it, so it was CPO’ed under URDF funding, basically to buy it, do it up, and then sell it commercially,” she said. (CPO – Compulsory Purchase Order, URDF-Urban Re-Development Fund).

A decision is due at An Bord Plealala by 14 May.