Mohill Station Revival
Mohill Station Revival aims to transform a historic site into a modern community space while preserving its heritage. The project includes converting an old station into a two-bedroom unit, a workspace hub with a café, and adding an exhibition space linked by a glazed corridor. The objectives focus on preserving the station's architecture while adapting buildings for functional use, and creating a cultural hub for the community.
Location
Mohill, nestled in County Leitrim, Ireland, combines rich history with scenic landscapes. The town harmonizes with historical architecture, local businesses, and vibrant community life. County Leitrim, in Ireland's northwest, is celebrated for its lakes, hills, and cultural heritage, including traditional Irish music and festivals. The county's dedication to preservation makes it perfect for projects enhancing historical sites, tourism, and community engagement.
The Old Station
Built around 1885 by the Cavan and Leitrim Railway, Mohill Railway Station is a detached three-bay two-storey structure with single-storey additions. Despite occasional use and renovations in the 1990s, it has been largely vacant since the railway closed in 1959. The station, listed in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, has seen sporadic efforts to revive it but remains mostly quiet, a memory of its bustling past.
Concept
The design preserves the station's historical character while integrating modern amenities. It blends restoration with innovation, ensuring new structures harmonize with the old. Key elements include converting the station master's house into a two-bedroom unit, repurposing the reception and ticket office into a workspace hub with café facilities, and adding a modern exhibition space linked to the main building.
Conservation Plan
The conservation plan emphasizes minimal intervention to preserve its architectural integrity. It seeks to restore original features like platforms and tracks using traditional materials and techniques. New additions, such as the glazed link and exhibition space, complement existing structures without overshadowing their historical significance. The plan aims to record all changes to the building and minimize interventions to maintain its historical essence.
Program
The architectural proposal outlines the following transformations and additions:
Station House Refurbishment: Convert the two-storey station master’s house into a 93.60 sqm, two-bedroom unit.
Office/Workspace Hub: Repurpose the old reception and ticket office into a 47.3 sqm office/workspace hub with deli facilities.
Exhibition Space: Construct a new 226.8 sqm structure with a hall, kitchen, and toilet facilities, connected to the main building via a glazed link.
Site Enhancements: Develop car parking, outdoor seating areas, and landscaping.
Project Impact
The Mohill Railway Revival will impact the community, local economy, and cultural heritage in several ways:
Cultural Preservation: Restoring the station’s architectural features while adding modern amenities preserves its historical essence and enhances Mohill’s legacy.
Community Benefits: Versatile spaces for community use will encourage social interaction and cultural activities, creating a vibrant social hub with exhibition spaces, a workspace hub, and deli facilities.
Tourism Boost: Enhancing the station’s historical value will attract tourists, promoting Mohill’s rich history and scenic beauty.
Sustainable Practices: The project will use environmentally conscious construction and operation practices, utilizing sustainable materials and energy-efficient designs to minimize environmental impact.
In conclusion, this landmark project balances historical preservation with contemporary needs, creating a multifunctional community asset that maintains a rich heritage. It fosters community engagement, economic growth, and sustainable development, ensuring the station remains a cornerstone of Mohill for generations.
Support this project!
The Mohill Town Team, a group of local organizations and businesses, launched a fundraiser on March 3, 2024, to support the revival of the Old Station House. With a €500,000 grant from the Department of Rural and Community Development, a condition of this funding is that the local community must raise at least 10% of the cost of the project with work due to commence shortly.
Every contribution helps! To donate, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/transformation-of-old-mohill-station-house
