The purpose and function of the development consisted of the redevelopment of an existing and dilapidated HSE (Health Service Executive) daycare hospital asset into a massively expanded and modern state of the art facility as part of the National CNU Capital Works program. 

The functions of the development are to offer step down hospital care, short and long stay facilities and dedicated dementia care to support the greater south Donegal region. 

The main phases / details were to: Temporary Facilities – Construct 2 temporary wards at an adjacent facility to house displaced patients, displaced due to the main redevelopment. 

Demolitions and Refurbishment of old Sheil – Demolitions of ancillary structures, complete strip-out, refurbishment, fireproofing, structural alteration and complete fit-out of the existing 3 storey listed structure known as the old Sheil Hospital, and New Build – Construction of two new 3 storey wings to the rear of the existing, along with extensive car parking, a newly formed link road and extensive landscaping throughout.

This project had many challenges:-

Archaeological – Due to the heritage and historical nature of this building, there was a requirement for an archaeological survey to be carried out. Led by Excavation Director, Tamlyn McHugh of Fadó Archaeology, the dig first revealed a large Bronze Age burial capstone with rock art. It was brought to the surface, approximately 4,000 years after it was buried with cremated remains in an Urn.

 The urn was carefully removed for testing while the burial capstone was retained and now features in a purposely constructed monument in the Community Garden at the CNU. Knot weed and asbestos also were also present on site. 

We created a 5.0m deep bund on-site which contained and would retain the contaminated knot weed area. Asbestos wise there was an initial survey carried out by the client which revealed this project, due to its age, had significant amounts of asbestos present. 

We instructed our own independent sub-contractor to carry out a further extensive asbestos survey which revealed further affected areas. This was then removed and taken off site to a licensed site for same.Springs – As the excavation work progressed, it became even more complex due to the discovery of the spring wells (10 nr) which were under the building. 

This discovery resulted in the design and installation of additional drainage works to divert the constant flow of spring water away from the building, whilst always prioritising the environmental and ecological impact of same on the river Erne, which is the southern boundary of the site. 

The river at this point is the outfall from the Catheleen’s Fall hydroelectric power station.

The works consisted of the construction of a new part single storey and part two story acute mental health unit along with stores and ancillary hospital accommodation. The gross floor area of the new building is approximately 3500sqm.

Works include demolition of existing single storey modular building, significant reduction of site levels, new retaining walls, link to hospital, new internal road arrangement, car parking and other associated site works.

The project consisted of the development of a 300 space multi story car park on an existing car park on the grounds of Sligo University Hospital and the provision of 90 space temporary car park for the duration of the works. 

It was a phased project and a portion of the existing car park remained open to facilitate hospital parking. The development also included a 6m high concrete wall around the LPG storage facility of the hospital and associated service diversions.

 This project was carried out in the confines of a landlocked site on a sloping site, adjacent to the main access roads to ATU Sligo and Sligo University Hospital.

The works consisted of the development of a single-story building containing clinical treatment rooms, individual and group offices, a group education room, adult and pediatric waiting areas, staff and ancillary spaces. 

Construction of a single story out building containing, tank, boiler room and waste store. 

External works comprising the enlargement of the existing carpark together with associated site development works, works to boundaries, street lighting and signage at Sligo University Hospital.