Contractor Appointed for Townhall, Cavan
Cavan County Council has appointed JJ McCauley Construction Ltd., from Kill, Co Cavan to carry out the refurbishment and conservation works on Townhall, Cavan. This project will provide an arts space for the county that will serve artists and audience and compliments existing provision for culture in this region. An investment of €750,000 was secured from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht by Cavan Arts and Culture Centre Limited and Cavan County Council as part of the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016. Speaking with Vivian McCauley from McCauley Construction Ltd. Cathaoirleach Madeleine Argue told the contractor
“I am very much looking forward to the re-opening of the refurbished Townhall, Cavan. It is a building that has served this area well for arts and civic purposes for many years. On behalf of my fellow elected representatives we are all very positive about the possibilities that the enhancement works will provide for our arts community to make work and for the wider community to be part of this.”
Townhall, Cavan was one of seven Flagship Projects announced under Stream 2 of the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016, by Minister Heather Humphreys on 13 February 2017. In addition, Cavan County Council secured capital funding of €247,600 from Peace IV SEUPB, a project initiative supported by the EU’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. The remaining commitment of €750,000 will be provided by Cavan County Council from their resources.
The detail design formal tender process was overseen by BLUETT AND O DONOGHUE Project Managers, Architects, Fire Engineers (Director in Charge James O’Donoghue, Michael O’Boyle Conservation Architect Grade 1) acting for Cavan County Council and it was advertised on e-tenders in June 2018. Through this formal tender process JJ McCauley Construction Ltd was selected as the most advantageous tenderer for the works and was accepted by Cavan County Council and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht as the successful Contractor. Mr O’Donoghue commented that the enthusiasm and commitment of Cavan County Council and the many stakeholders to Arts practice and community really came across from the inception stage to the commencement of the works. The design team and the directors of JJ McCauley Construction Ltd, Vivian and Nuala McCauley look forward to a successful completion to facilitate the re-commencement of the Arts programme at this venue in the Autumn 2019 under the stewardship of Cavan Co Co.
Floor Plans
>> Click here to download Cavan Townhall Refurbishment 2019 Project Plans
>> Click here to download Cavan Townhall Front Elevation Plans
>> Click here to download Cavan Townhall Side Elevation Plans
>> Click here to download Cavan Townhall Ground Floor Floorplan
>> Click here to download Cavan Townhall First Floor Floorplan
>> Click here to download Cavan Townhall Second Floor Floorplan
Background
Built in 1909, an important municipal building in Arts and Crafts style by the Dublin and Drogheda architect William Alphonsus Scott (1871-1921), built by contractor William O'Callaghan & Son. It reflects mainstream international movements in architecture in the early twentieth century, using local Latt sandstone from Co Cavan to great effect, enhancing the streetscape, and creating a striking landmark in the town centre.
The building combines two separate functions, the town hall and the assembly hall that is expressed in two distinct volumes. The town hall is of Norman inspiration seen in the vertical thrust and strength of its corner piers. Arts and Crafts features such as the multiple-pane window design and the entrance with characteristic stylised lettering are echoed in the assembly hall with its steeply pitched roof, dormers and massive piers.
The interior displays an eclectic mix of vernacular and medieval-inspired joinery. The building is an important historical document adding to the understanding of local government in Ireland in the period following the reforms and democratisation introduced under the Local Government (Ireland) Act of 1898.
The plaque inscription reads 'Town Hall erected by Cavan Urban District Council W.A. Scott ARIBA Architect W. Callaghan and Sons, Bldrs L.C.P Smith, Chairman Thomas McGuinness, Clerk 1909'
Photograph of the arts collective from Cavan Arts and Culture Centre Limited during their time at Townhall, Cavan