Local Fine Gael Cllr Shirley O’Hara has welcomed the outcome of the inspection of Glebe House by the Council. The council is to take action after Cllr Shirley O’Hara repeatedly sought this.
The Council’s Planning Department reported to Cllr O’Hara recently “I confirm that the Senior Clerk of Works carried out an inspection on the 15th of March 2024 and confirmed that the property constitutes a derelict site within the definition contained in section 3 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990. The Senior Architect has endorsed the report of the Senior Clerk of Works. Efforts are being made to identify the current owner of the site and some progress has been made in this regard. Once we have received confirmation of ownership, a decision will be made as to the most appropriate course of action to be taken under the provisions of the Derelict Sites Act”.
Cllr O’Hara said “Originally built in the 1740s, Glebe House was a Charter School. Not only is the site an eyesore in our village, but the deterioration of the complex also threatens one of the major heritage buildings in our community. I welcome that the Council is finally taking action on this. This month Rathcoole Village will receive a major lift when the Court House is opened as a new community venue and coffee shop. Many residents lament the poor state Glebe House has fallen into and would like to see these buildings rejuvenated and bring that section of the main street back to life. The future of Glebe House is a major priority for me in the next council. I want to see it restored and the dereliction cleared up. This will make a big difference to the environment for Rathcoole residents”.
