Official Opening of Cúirt na hAbhann (October 2009)

Oaklee Housing Trust is pleased to announce the Official Opening of Cúirt na hAbhann, a landmark event which hosted a joint opening by Ministers from The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Minister for Housing and Local Services Mr. Michael Finneran and Minister for Social Development Ms. Margaret Ritchiejointly opened the scheme. This unique event celebrated the spirit of co-operation between the respective government departments as well as the partnership between Oaklee Housing Association and the Oaklee Housing Trust.

Mr. Frank Feely Chairman of Oaklee Housing Trust comments on the significance of this event, "I am delighted to welcome you all to Oaklee's latest development named Cúirt na hAbhann here in Patrick Tierney Street in Ardee. I would like to pay tribute to everyone involved, including the Oaklee staff, who have provided another high quality Oaklee scheme in County Louth, the 10th Countyin which Oaklee have provided schemes in Ireland. I look forward to many more developments of this nature in the coming years."

The new development named Cúirt na hAbhann, Patrick Tierney Street was completed on schedule by Glasgiven Contracts Ltd. and handed over to Oaklee Housing Trust on 3rd September 2009. Cúirt na hAbann comprises 45 units in total with a community centre facility constructed on a green field site just minutes from Ardee Town Centre in a peaceful residential area.

Minister Finneran expressed his gratitude to the Trust and to Louth County Council for seeing the scheme through to completion. He also referred to the new long-term leasing initiative and the rental accommodation scheme, which will capitalise on the existing availability of unsold properties in the market while at the same time taking advantage of the fall in rents. "These schemes provide us, and the voluntary and cooperative sector, with an opportunity to provide greater numbers of households with good quality accommodation than would otherwise be possible from our annual investment."

Cúirt na hAbhann meaning 'River Court' is adjacent to the river Dee. To enhance the development, pathways and a large public space have been incorporated along the riverfront allowing all residents to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

Individual houses range in size from one bedroom apartments to two-storey semi detached three bedroom homes. The mixed tenure scheme includes rented accommodation which will be owned and managed by Oaklee Housing Trust, along with six affordable homes and three services sites which were being developed in conjunction with Louth County Council.

Environmental sustainability was an important design consideration and environmentally friendly and sustainable technology has been used throughout the scheme. The environmental benefit of the scheme has been recognised by Sustainable Energy Ireland which contributed €270,000 under its "House of Tomorrow" programme towards the sustainable design and technology features incorporated in the scheme. These features include high standards of insulation, energy efficient glazing, high efficiency condensing gas boilers, mechanical ventilation heat recovery, zoned heating control and solar hot water heating. The resulting energy and emissions reductions will give residents affordable high standards of comfort as well as helping to "future proof" against energy price rises.

Minister Finneran said: "I am delighted to see that this development has gone beyond the requirements of the regulations with solar panels on south facing roofs and heat recovery systems. I would like to recognise the valuable contribution, both in terms of the technical advice and the funding provided, of Sustainable Energy Ireland in the delivery of this estate. SEI, I understand, enjoy a close working relationship with Louth County Council including the impressive Dundalk 2020 project which will really set the bar for green practices into the future. "

The Trust's total investment for Cúirt na hAbhann is €7, 759, 393, most of which was funded by the Department of the Environment, Housing & Local Government with an additional €292, 500 provided under the terms of the Lottery Funds Grant Scheme for the provision of the communal facilities.

This is the first development by the Trust in County Louth and will be a major asset to the area in delivering affordable housing.
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said: "This is great news for the people in Ardee. I have seen for myself the difference that housing can make to peoples lives and that is why I am more resolved than ever to deliver more of the same in future.
Last September, we opened new housing schemes in Donegal and Derry. We agreed that our Departments should continue to work closely to identify opportunities and share good practice to help meet the housing challenges we both face, North and South. Close co-operation is part of my New Housing Agenda. This scheme is a credit to the Oaklee Housing Group for their work on this island and I commend all involved for bringing the project to fruition.'