NUNS SELLING SITE FOR €2.2M
32 acres at Ferrybank ‘site of the decade’ says auctioneer
THE St. John of God Sisters in Wexford are selling off 32 acres of prime land overlooking the sea in Ferrybank for an asking price of €2.2 million.
The land behind Ely Hospital was described this week as ‘the site of the decade’ by Colum Murphy, managing director of auctioneers Kehoe and Associates who are handling the sale.
The auctioneering firm has been instructed by the St. John of God con- gregation to place the prime parcel of land on the market.
‘They have been clients of ours for years and they have decided that now is the time to go to the market with it,’ said Mr. Murphy.
Most of the land, 18.1 acres (zone B), is zoned for residential development in the Wexford Town Plan with 3.7 acres (C) zoned commercial/ mixed use and the balance, 9.5 acres (A), including the coastal section of the property, zoned green space and amenity.
Situated at Ferrybank, next to Ely, the lands are in a key location directly across Wexford bridge on the most attractive entrance road into town with an iconic view of Wexford harbour and a 10-minute walk to all amenities.
Colum Murphy said it presents a superb development opportunity and he expects strong interest from builders, developers and long-term investors locally and nationally.
‘This is an exceptional parcel of development land. It occupies an unrivalled position, directly fronting the coastline adjacent to Wexford Swimming Pool, with superb sea views,’ he said.
The St. John of God Sisters were founded at a time of poverty and suffering in Wexford in October 1871 by a group of Irish Sisters of Bon Secours led by Bridget Clancy (Sr.Visitation) and Bishop Thomas Furlong of the Diocese of Ferns.
Starting in a small house in Wexford, they devoted themselves to the care of the sick and aged, nursing in workhouse infirmaries throughout the county and also becoming involved in education, commencing in the Faythe School in 1875.
As their numbers grew, they established nursing and education ministries in Wexford, in locations around Ireland including Dublin, Waterford and Kilkenny and in other countries including Australia, Nigeria, England, West Cameroon, Pakistan and in South Africa where the sisters work with people with HIV/Aids.
The St. John of God generalate is situated on Newtown Road where a 30-bedroom residence for retired nuns and an oratory was recently completed at the 140-year old convent which is also currently additional major re-development and refurbihsment work.
The sisters also have a modern convent in Summerhill, Wexford and a retreat centre in Ballyvaloo which was refurbished and extended from the proceeds of the sale of a secondary school and convent on a 2.55 acre site in Artane, Dublin which was placed on the market in 2008 for €3.5 million.
While health care and education were the primary concern of the sisters for many years, today they are also involved in retreat centres, counselling, pastoral care, aged care facilities and parish work.