100 new homes planned for historic site of Ireland's first Turkish bathhouse

Developers are hoping to use the site of historic former Turkish baths for a big new housing project.

Plans have been submitted by OMD(C) Ltd for 100 new homes at the former St. Ann’s Hydropathic Establishment site, just outside Blarney.

The Large-Scale Residential Development plans include 63 new houses, 23 apartment units, and 14 apartment/duplex units, as well as a creche facility at Kilnamucky in Tower.

The development company says it is going to partially demolish, conserve, and refurbish the remains of the historic former hydropathic facility, which is a protected structure.

The elaborate bathhouse, known as St Ann's Hydro, opened in 1843 and only closed in the 1950s. The 19th-century hydropathic centre was a designated facility where people suffering 'diseases of the body and mind' could stay, and partake in hydro-therapy, taking frequent dips into Ireland's first Turkish baths.

At its peak, the Cork facility had around 80 bedrooms, its own farm, tennis courts, a bowling alley and a golf course, according to Archiseek.

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The extensive remains of the site are on St Ann's Hill, overlooking the Shournagh River. They consist mostly of ruins and overgrowth. On the grounds, there is a former 'isolation unit,' which was converted into residential use.

When the 12-acre site went up for sale in 2020, it had the go-ahead from An Bord Pleanála for a new two-storey nursing home, under the condition that some elements of the former hydro building would be incorporated.

Previously, Cork City Council rejected the developers' proposal for five houses on the historic site, which it said would "not respect the character of the area and will impact negatively upon a scenic route."

But in 2025, the most recent proposal from OMD(C) is for the old hydro property to be integrated into a new two-storey apartment building with 16 one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. There are also plans for a two-storey mixed-use building, providing a creche at ground floor and apartments at first floor.

The former stable buildings would be partially demolished and refurbished for terrace units, and the former Coach House would be made into a 3-bedroom house. Another two-storey apartment building would accommodate 5 units, while a 3-storey apartment/duplex building would accommodate 14 more.

The proposed development also provides for the construction of an additional 56 detached, semi-detached, and terraced dwelling houses, ranging from two- to four-bedroom family homes.

There is also provision for the restoration of the former Clock Tower structure and parkland, which served the former St. Ann’s Hydropathic Establishment.

Cork City Council will decide on the plans by November 13.

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