The former Carmelite Convent of the Incarnation is set to be redeveloped as a large residential development and nursing home. The Carmelites occupied the substantial site, which is bounded by Grace Park Road and Griffith Avenue, for about 150 years prior to it being sold in an off-market deal to Grelis, a company owned by Howth-based developer Greg Gallagher.
The convent building, a protected structure, will remain in institutional use, with some of the building to be converted to six apartments. It’s planned that 55 four- and five-bedroom three-storey houses, eight of which will be semi-detached and 47 terraced, will be built on the convent’s lands, in addition to two apartment blocks containing 36 apartments in total.
The blocks will comprise four one-bedroom, 28 two- bedroom and four three-bedroom units – all with individual balconies. Finally, a four- storey nursing home with 69 bedrooms, which will feature a roof garden, will also be built. In total, 226 parking spaces will be provided in a surface car park and two basement car parks. The existing entrance to the convent, a rather narrow lane on Grace Park Road, is to be closed and two new vehicular entrances will be opened further up the road.
Another of Gallagher’s companies, Aljaco, recently applied to build 44 houses beside Somerton in Donabate, which he also developed some years ago.
No prize will be given for guessing who the selling agents are likely be for the Drumcondra scheme, as Gallagher’s brothers Conor and Rory head up top northside estate agency Gallagher Quigley.
