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.