By Alan Healy
Plans have been lodged to convert a landmark building in Derry’s city centre into a ‘community hub’ for the Irish language.
The proposal will see the vacant building at 33, Great James Street converted to provide accommodation for 20 students as part of the plans.
The period building was formally occupied by a gym and a beauty parlour, and is located the bottom of Great James Street beside the Post Office sorting office and the nearby An Culturlann, who lodged the planning application.
The application states that it hopes to use the listed building for student accommodation as ‘part of a master plan for the creation of an Irish language community hub’.
If approved, the new building would be seen as a boost for the promotion of the Irish language in the city, which took a major step forward with the opening of the Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin in 2009.
The building was opened after An Gaeláras, Derry’s primary Irish language, arts and cultural organisation, purchased McDaid’s bakery at 37 Great James Street in 2001.
The organisation then and secured planning permission for a new purpose built Irish Language, Arts and Cultural Enterprise Centre on the site. at a cost of £4.6m.
Construction on the building, which was designed by O’Donnell & Tuomey, began in January 2008 and it was officially opened on September 4, 2009.
Stirling Prize
In July 2008, the building represented Ireland at the Venice Biennale and has won many awards since its completion, coming second in the prestigious Stirling Prize competition, making it the first building from the north to be nominated.
The planning application for the new Irish language community hub is currently being considered by the local planning authority, Derry City and Strabane District Council, and will come before a future meeting of its Planning Committee.
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