Great fire damages Cork convent

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A major fire has broken out in the former Mercy Convent in Skibbereen, severely damaging the building and causing the church roof to collapse.

Residents in the immediate vicinity are asked to stay indoors and close all doors and windows.

The Cork County Fire Service was alerted to the fire at 4:27 p.m. M. And Fire Brigade units from Skibbereen, Schull and Bantry rushed to the scene on North Street near the center of town.

Waves of smoke from the old Mercy Convent chapel and the nuns' apartments, just behind the apartments belonging to the Skibbereen Geriatric Society. all residents were evacuated safely Photo: Anne Minhane.
Smoke waves from the old Mercy Convent chapel and the nuns’ quarters, just behind the apartments belonging to the Skibbereen Geriatric Society. all residents were evacuated safely Photo: Anne Minhane.

A water tanker from Bantry and an aerial platform from Midleton were also mobilized to the incident.

Elderly residents living in nearby flats were evacuated for fear of smoke inhalation, but no injuries have been reported.

There are traffic detours from Garda and the public is asked to avoid the area.

The cause of the fire has yet to be confirmed.

The convent buildings were empty for more than 20 years after the Sisters of Mercy, who had been based in the convent for more than 140 years, moved into smaller premises.

Last week, the Cork City Council granted permission for the redevelopment of the site for 10 million euros.

The buildings of the old Convent of La Piedad that were destroyed by a fire on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Anne Minihane.
The buildings of the old Convent of La Piedad that were destroyed by a fire on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Anne Minihane.

Remcoll 3 Ltd had applied to Cork County Council to renovate the former convent, a listed structure, in order to build apartments and commercial facilities on the site.

According to plans, the chapel would be converted to commercial facilities, including a multipurpose room and desk space, and the former Mercy Convent would be converted into seven apartments.

The former Mercy Heights School would be converted to office space and a new four-story apartment block would be built to the southeast of the site, incorporating some 52 apartments.

Planning was granted, subject to some 22 conditions, including the removal of an apartment in the old convent and the preparation of a series of new roads and mobility plans.

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