Criticism as Conradh na Gaeilge may receive sales proceeds of O’Modhráin Hall in Newbridge, County Kildare

The premises was sold in 2017 to a developer by the trustees

The Charities Regulator's public notice that the sales proceeds of O'Modhráin Hall in Newbridge may be transferred to Conradh na Gaeilge has prompted criticism.

The site, which remains derelict on Cutlery Road, was sold in 2017 to a developer by the trustees, the names of which were published in the notice last week.

It is also understood that none live in Newbridge.

The Cy Pres scheme, which is a legal process for charities, involves issuing a notice to the public following which they have one month to send complaints or observations about what is planned. 

The deadline for receipt of submissions the Charities Regulator for the O'Modhráin Hall Scheme is October 23 2024.

'THIS MONEY BELONGS IN NEWBRIDGE'

One person expressing concern is Social Democrats councillor Chris Pender, who noted that the proceeds of the sale of O'Modhráin Hall total €213,097.50 may be transferred to a restricted fund managed by the national organisation Conradh na Gaeilge. 

Cllr Pender, who is also the Deputy-Mayor of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, said: "This is an unbelievably poor proposal, especially for such a high-profile case.

"Have the trustees something against engaging with the local community or our representatives? Why didn’t they work with Kildare County Council (KCC) to put the hall to use when they were first approached? Why didn’t they seek proposals from the community to use the proceeds of the sale? And why is the Charities Regulator endorsing this approach?"

He claimed that locals 'are particularly concerned by the lack of transparency and engagement in the decision-making process.'

Deputy-Mayor of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, Cllr Chris Pender, standing near O'Modhráin Hall. Photograph supplied by Cllr Pender.

Cllr Pender also claimed that 'neither the trustees nor Conradh na Gaeilge engaged with local representatives or the community before initiating the statutory process.'

He elaborated: "Despite interest from Kildare County Council in acquiring the hall in previous years to retain it as a community resource, no local consultations took place regarding the future use of the sale proceeds.

"This money belongs in Newbridge, where it can support local projects that honour the original charitable purposes of O Modhráin Hall.

"The hall was built for our community, and the funds raised through its sale should remain here."

"The lack of consultation with local leaders and community groups is deeply concerning and raises serious questions about the decision-making process," Cllr Pender concluded.

He is now urging local residents to make their voices heard by submitting objections to the Charities Regulator: "Objections can be raised regarding the proposed transfer of the funds to Conradh na Gaeilge, and submissions must be made before the deadline.

"This is an opportunity for the people of Newbridge to stand up and ensure that these funds stay within our community.

"We need to let the Charities Regulator know that we believe these funds should be used to benefit the town they were raised for, not transferred to a national body with little direct connection to Newbridge."

"How to make a submission:

• Email: CSU@charitiesregulator.ie  
• Reference: SR73187  
• Postal Address: Charity Services Unit, Charities Regulator, 3 George’s Dock, IFSC, Dublin 1, D01X5X0

"Community members can send objections by email or post, quoting reference SR73187 in their correspondence."

"The full details of the proposal are available through the Charities Regulator’s website or by contacting local representatives for further information," Cllr Pender concluded.

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'WE'RE VERY TAKEN ABACK'

Another local who voiced concerns over the public notice is local community campaigner Orla O'Neill.

Ms O'Neill, who has said that she is a member of a group which organised 'a packed public meeting' in the Town Hall in 2017 to oppose the sale, said that she she was shocked to learn of the decision by the trustees and the Charities Regulator.

She explained: "We’re very taken aback by this proposal to give the funds to Conradh na Gaeilge; a great organisation, but which has no presence in Newbridge.

"While we understand they intend to disburse the funds through a grant scheme, there has been no engagement by any of the parties with local people.

"We are the people with the best knowledge on how the charitable aims of the O'Modhráin Hall Trust could be fulfilled.

"We don’t know how Conradh intends to distribute the funds and we don’t know how much of a management fee they will take.

"The public notice outlines how there is €213,000 remaining from the sale price of €260,000 after legal and other expenses were deducted."

Another concern Ms O'Neill says she has at present 'is the stated intention in the Scheme to distribute the funds in Newbridge and the 'surrounding local areas in County Kildare'.'

She explained that because there are no Irish language groups set up in Newbridge, this means all of the funds could end up outside the town: "It is incomprehensible that the geographical area of the O’Modhráin Hall has been extended beyond the town. 

"It is well documented that the Hall was purchased in the 1950s through local fundraising... My father was a trustee of the Hall in the 1990s and I know he would be saying 'Newbridge or Nowhere' if he were alive today."

Ms O'Neill went on to say that local campaigners had previously contacted the Charities Regulator to suggest that local youth cultural group, Kildare Youth Theatre, should get the funds to help with the proposed Youth Cultural Centre for which a Business Plan had been developed.

"However, we received no response to this suggestion," she said: "We intend to object and we’ll be calling on people to back our plans to have the funds spent in a better manner locally.

"People can follow us on the Facebook Page – O'Modhrain Memorial Hall – or contact me directly on orlaponeill@gmail.com."

"We will have more information available in the coming week about how people can object to this proposal which will have no impact in our town," she concluded.

File photograph showing Orla O'Neill (LEFT) speaking at an event in Newbridge