Metropolitan Workshop is to transform an unusual and much-loved 18th-century agricultural building in rural Ireland into a vibrant public space and community hub. The ambitious project will focus on preserving the architectural heritage of this historic site so it can be visited and appreciated by the wider public as well as serving as a much-needed community space. Kildare County Council has granted consent for the works, which form part of a wider scheme covering c.19.8ha of parkland and heritage buildings. 

Metropolitan Workshop will work with conservation specialist Howley Hayes Cooney and landscape architects Aecom to carefully repair and restore the landmark. The project was developed through engagement with the Local Authority, elected representatives and the public through consultation, with the future programme of uses shaped in direct response to community needs. To ensure the proposals are financially sustainable, Metropolitan Workshop also collaborated with an economic consultant, whose work informed the mix of uses across the site.

The project will include minor interventions to the Wonderful Barn itself to allow it to function as an event and exhibition space. Barnhall House, which sits adjacent to the Barn, will be repaired after suffering damage from an arson attack and reopened at ground floor level for heritage, tourism and community use. Meanwhile, the former stables and farm buildings will be converted to create a café, community spaces and supporting facilities, with a new extension providing a bright seating area overlooking the reinstated walled garden.

The landscape design builds on the site’s historic axis and views once connected to Castletown House. The Wonderful Barn acts as the focal point, with tree lines and landscape features radiating outwards. Historic elements including the lawn to the front of Barnhall House, the orchard grove to the northwest, hedgerows, and the walled garden will be reinstated. New recreational features such as multi-use games areas and playgrounds will be located near residential edges, while parking will remain close to the vehicular entrance. A series of shared pedestrian and cycle routes will open the wider parkland to the public – an accessible green space for all.

Kildare County Council, which owns the site, says it hopes the project will preserve the site’s architectural heritage while transforming it into a vibrant public park and visitor destination. Denise Murray, Partner at Metropolitan Workshop said: “The revitalization of The Wonderful Barn site, as well as the views onto it, represent a significant investment in Kildare’s cultural and community infrastructure, enhancing the area’s tourism appeal while preserving its rich heritage. The project will serve as a unique and educational destination for visitors and a valuable resource for local residents.” 

Essential repairs to the Wonderful Barn have been completed over the past two years, undertaken by conservation specialists Howley Hayes Cooney. Looking ahead, Kildare County Council is exploring funding options to continue the restoration on a phased basis. It is hoped that, by 2026, further works will progress to bring the entire complex back into sustainable community use.

Article by Metropolitan Workshop for Open House Dublin 2025