St. Declan’s Hostel is a Tourist Hostel primarily for walkers on the St. Declan’s Way Pilgrim route from Cashel in Co. Tipperary to Ardmore in County Waterford right on the South Coast of Ireland.
The project had two phases.
Phase 1(31LDRWAT110671) involved the extensive renovation of the old novitiate into a quality Hostel Facility. The total cost was more than €289,768.50 and LEADER invested €144,884.25 in the project.
The second and final phase(31LDRWAT113902) has just been completed (Final payment will be made in November 2021). The second phase cost €45,831.97 and LEADER will be providing €22,915.985.
This part of the project involved the equipping of the newly refurbished building with a commercial kitchen, ware, and appropriate bedding for visiting guests.
The completion of the Hostel Facility for walkers and travelers in the former novitiate building in the historic Mt. Melleray Abbey located right on the pathway of the famous St. Declan’s Pilgrim walk from Cashel in Co. Tipperary to Ardmore in Co. Waterford is a very important component of the Tourism Infrastructure in the Knockmealdowns and adds to the Tourism Asset Register that the Munster Vales needs to market the South and South-West in terms of Activity Tourism attractions.
Covid-19 has delayed the Official Opening of the Facility and the Monastery is looking forward to receiving its first official guests to the facility in early 2022.
The Monks have completed the renovation of the former novitiate into a modern Hostel Facility for walkers who will be making the 100km hike from Cashel to Ardmore or Ardmore to Cashel. The renovation has been completed to a very high standard.
Finally, the project fits in with the Co Waterford LECP Plan for Rural Tourism. The hostel will be an important addition to the expanding infrastructure in West Waterford for walkers. It is estimated in time that between 20,000 people will walk the route annually. It will be essential that hostels and other accommodation will be available along the route, and it is envisaged that the opening of Melleray will encourage other providers along the route.
