Save St. Columbanus Hall Howth

The campaign to save St Columbanus Hall Howth was started in May 2019 following an announcement at a church assembly that it was to be sold. Over the course of the summer 2019 we campaigned to save the Hall so that it could continue to play it’s vital role in the community, over 30 groups use it on a weekly basis.
It has a 358 year old history in the historical, religious, educational and cultural life of the town. It is in the real sense the beating heart of the community, and is a central part of the living fabric and heritage of Howth.
Throughout last summer the committee was very active. We met with Fr Tanham and the parish committee, with Ms Helena Bergin conservation officer in Fingal County Council. We are grateful to the Howth Sutton Community Council who facilitated discussion on the issue. We also got backing from a number of local TDs, Senators, and Councillors. We held a public meeting in the Abbey Tavern Howth and also met with the Howth Sutton & District Community Centre Ltd to discuss that possibility of purchasing St Columbanus Hall. We are aware that F.C.C have also conducted a feasibility study as to its suitability as a community space.
We set up an online petition and collected signatures we have to date over 1800, people who are passionate in their support of the campaign. We have been asked repeatedly for information if there is any progress. Unfortunately we have not been able to answer the question.
Covid-19 and lockdown has indeed slowed up the workings of the various bodies both public and private but there is now a gradual return to employment to the ‘’new normal’’
In the light of the above facts and since it is now over a year since our campaign commenced, we are asking all interested parties what is the position on the acquisition of this iconic building and its safeguarding for the future.

Hi to all the followers of the Save St Columbanus Hall page. The Public meeting is on Tuesday Oct 1st in the Abbey Tavern at 7pm. We really need you to come along and show your solidarity with the campaign. We are being described as a "protest group'' which of course is what we are absolutely, protesting at the potential sale and loss of this iconic building to further development in the town. We have already posted that the Columbanus site has 357 years of history from its humble beginnings when a small thatched chapel was built in the 17th century to the establishment of a national school in the mid 19th century. It is considered to be a "positive building'' in the draft development plan but it is not a listed building so could be consumed into a development. It is already the defacto community centre standing proudly in the town and used by so many community groups. Please come along and join us on Tuesday Oct 1st 7pm in the Abbey Tavern