Saint Michael’s Convent of Mercy Church, The Courtyard, Newtownforbes
Conversion of a protected former church into eight apartments.
2660107 · Longford County Council · Lodged 3 April 2026
- Reference
- 2660107
- Authority
- Longford County Council
- Register status
- Decided
- Type
- PERMISSION
- Received
- 3 April 2026
Summary
AI-generatedThe project involves a change of use of Saint Michael's Convent of Mercy Church, a protected structure, from commercial to residential use to create 8 apartments. Works include partial demolition of external walls and roofs, replacement of windows and doors, and internal alterations.
- Residential units
- 8
Generated from the description above by an AI model and may contain mistakes. The council’s description is the authoritative record.
Official record
Development description
For development at saint michael's convent of mercy church (a protected structure, rps no. 445). The former sisters of mercy convent (a protected structure, rps no. 526) is within the curtilage of the development site; but it is not subject to any works. The development will consist of: a) change of use from the church’s most recently permitted commercial uses (restaurant, offices, exhibition, conference, educational and studio) to residential use comprising 8 no. Apartments. B) alterations to the external façades, including: partial demolition of four sections of the existing external wall; replacement of two non-original windows with new glazed units; and removal of two existing stained-glass windows to be replaced with new glazed windows. The stained-glass windows will be carefully removed and reinstated elsewhere on site. C) partial demolition of sections of the existing pitched roofs to accommodate new rooflights. D) replacement of three non-original timber entrance doors with new timber-framed doors incorporating fixed glazed panels. E) removal of one non-original internal partition wall. F) construction of new internal partition walls to facilitate the proposed residential layout. G) hard and soft landscaping, provision of external communal amenity space for the residents of the proposed apartments together with ancillary bicycle and bin stores, and all associated site development works above and below ground within the curtilage of the site
Land-use zoning
What this land is zoned for
“To provide for residential development and protect and improve residential amenity”
National zoning type: Existing residential
Objective set by the LONGFORD COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2021-2027 (2021–2027). The planning authority decides each application on its own merits — this is the zoning context, not a compliance assessment.
Read the zoning objectives in the development planBuilt & sold
What happened next
Beyond the decision: whether this development was built, and what property here has sold for.
Recent sales nearby
within 500 m| Address | Date | Price | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| A The Berkely, Newtownforbes, Longford | Apr 2026 | €137,000 | 49 m |
| 3 The Avon, The Courtyard, Newtownforbes | Jul 2025 | €112,000 | 55 m |
| 1 Clarissa, The Courtyard, Newtownforbes | Nov 2025 | €148,000 | 58 m |
| 2 Clonguish Court, Newtownforbes, Co Longford | Jun 2026 | €75,000 | 194 m |
| 40 Clonguish Court, Newtownforbes, Longfordnot full market price | Feb 2025 | €147,500 | 195 m |
| Apt 1, Main St, Newtownforbes | Apr 2026 | €100,000 | 200 m |
| 53 Clonguish Court, Newtownforbes, Longford | Jan 2026 | €170,000 | 217 m |
| 36 Clonguish Court, Newtownforbes, Longford | Aug 2025 | €220,000 | 223 m |
Nearby properties, not this site — a guide to local values.
Sources: Building Control Management System (commencement notices) and the Residential Property Price Register, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Records are matched to this application by location and may not be exhaustive; always confirm against the official source before relying on them.
Key dates
Timeline
- Application received3 April 2026
- Decision due28 May 2026
- Decision issued25 May 2026
- Grant issued26 June 2026
- Permission expiry25 June 2031
In the area
Applications near this site
Other planning applications within about 500 m — what else is being proposed or built nearby.
- Granted70 m away
Construction of a detached shed/garage type structure with an overall floor area of 60 square metres to the…
Townparks , Newtownforbes , Co. Longford
1878LongfordLodged 19 Apr 2018Other
- Awaiting decision150 m away
For the proposed demolition of existing derelict St. Josephs Secondary School & associated buildings together…
Townparks , Newtownforbes , Co.Longford
1992LongfordLodged 28 Mar 2019Housing estate
- Granted160 m away
For the proposed construction of 4 No. Four Bedroom Two Storey Semi-Detached Type Dwelling Houses On Site…
Caislean Breac , Newtownforbes , Co. Longford.
17297LongfordLodged 30 Nov 2017Housing estate
- Granted200 m away
Of the change of use from a Butcher's Shop to a Take-Away Restaurant/Food Outlet and all ancillary works
Townspark , Main Street , Newtownforbes
20226LongfordLodged 8 Oct 2020Change of use
- Refused200 m away
Proposed retention of the change of use from a butchers shop to a take-away restaurant/food outlet and all…
Townspark , Main Street , Newtownforbes
2083LongfordLodged 9 Apr 2020Retention
- Refused200 m away
Of the change of use from a Butchers Shop to a Take-Away Restaurant/Foodway Outlet & all ancillary works
Townspark , Main Street , Newtownforbes
1988LongfordLodged 27 Mar 2019Retention
- Granted210 m away
Of domestic garage/store to the side of existing dwelling and all ancillary site works
14 Castlepark , Newtownforbes , Co. Longford
20252LongfordLodged 29 Oct 2020Retention
- Granted220 m away
Proposed single storey extensions to the side and rear of existing dwelling together with amendment to…
16 Caislean Breac , Newtownforbes , Co. Longford.
17292LongfordLodged 23 Nov 2017Extension
Related developments
Similar applications
Ranked by what these developments actually propose, not by matching words — so you can see how comparable applications were decided.
- GrantedApartments
The change of use and the renovation and alteration of the former convent chapel, a protected structure (RPS…
Formerly known as Sisters of Mercy Convent, Gortnaclohy Td, North Street, Skibbereen, Co. Cork
19565corkLodged 30 Aug 2019
- Awaiting decisionApartments
The renovation and alteration of the former convent chapel, a protected structure (RPS 085) for use as a…
Gortnaclohy Td. , North Street, Skibbereen, Co. Cork
19520corkLodged 8 Aug 2019
- Awaiting decisionApartments
A residential development of 9no. dwellings at the site of the former 2-part 3-part 4 storey Sacred Heart…
The site of the former 2-part 3-part 4 storey , Sacred Heart Convent, Norwood Grove, Rushbrooke, Ringmeen, Cobh, Co. Cork
214917corkLodged 9 Apr 2021
- GrantedChange of use
Development consisting of change of use of the existing buildings & grounds from religious (a convent &…
St. Joseph's House , Manor Hill , Waterford
20871WaterfordLodged 24 Nov 2020
- GrantedChange of use
PROTECTED STRUCTURE: PERMISSION: For development consisting of: a) Material Change of of the existing…
88, Drumcondra Road Lower, Dublin 9, D09 F9K6
3169/23Dublin CityLodged 3 Feb 2023
- WithdrawnApartments
PROTECTED STRUCTURE: For development consisting of: a) Material Change of Use of the existing building from…
88, Drumcondra Road Lower, Dublin 9, D09 F9K6
3313/22Dublin CityLodged 18 Feb 2022
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