McAuley Place

Nas na Riogh Housing Association – Mcauley Place

In January 2000, a group of professionals, all living in Naas and aware of their own ageing, came together to plan the type of environment they would choose to live in if they could no longer remain independent at home but did not need full nursing care. They decided that they might not be able to manage a three or four bedroomed house and garden but could easily manage a one bedroomed apartment if it were located in the heart of the town. They committed themselves to developing an alternative to institutional residential care for older persons and a model that would create a society for all ages.

Further elaboration determined that such a development should be within walking distance (for a person with arthritis, bronchitis, angina or similar, not an able-bodied individual) of shops and services and public transport. It had to have on-site intergenerational facilities, and had to emphasis what people could do rather than what people could not do: it would be about wellness rather than illness. Twelve years later, McAuley Place, in the former Convent of Mercy in the heart of Naas, consists of 53 self-contained one-bedroomed apartments. Convent Tea Rooms. Arts and Culture Centre. Community Centre. Volunteer Centre and a Health through Learning Centre with an associated garden is being planned.

The development incorporated the United Nations Principles for Older Persons from the very early design stage, aiming to ‘maintain the optimum level of well-being, physical, emotional, mental psychological and spiritual’. It was designed to the highest standards to ensure that there would be no sense of institution at McAuley Place and that people would want to move there, not dread moving there. The letting policy priorities people from the local community so that there is informal support from long-established friends and neighbours.

The Convent Tea Rooms (Coffee Shop Listing/ Dining Listing)

The Convent Tea Rooms are an integral part of McAuley Place. Since opening in February 2012, it has become a popular meeting place for the people of Naas. The smell of home baking, the china cups and saucers, the crafted tea cosies, the plates and original art on the walls all contribute to its inviting atmosphere.

Open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, the Convent Tea Rooms offer a tasty breakfast, lunch, or simple snack. Gluten-free bread and cakes are available, and sandwiches, scones and food platters can be taken away. Unique tea cosies crafted in the McAuley Place Arts and Culture centre are also for sale!

Gift vouchers are available at McAuley Place reception and at the till in the tea rooms. Standard gift vouchers and special “Afternoon Tea” gift vouchers are available.

Community Centre (Community Listing)

The Community Centre at McAuley place is a place where people can gather for social events, education classes, or recreational activities. It’s comprised of several different spaces, suitable for different uses, all of which are available for hire. From small rooms perfect for one to one sessions, to large spaces that can seat 100 people. There are a number of groups that already use the centre on an ongoing basis including, Active Retirement Association, Angelina Ballerina, Girl Guides, Grow , Talented Kids, Tai Chi, Weight Watchers, and many more. The centre is avalible for rental trough out the year.

Arts and Culture Centre (Arts and Culture / Events Listing)

The Arts and Culture Centre was once the Nuns’ Chapel in the convent building at McAuley Place. The inside walls and ceiling have been restored and the original organ returned to its former glory. This deconsecrated chapel, with its stained glass windows and old statues, is an atmospheric venue with great acoustics. The McAuley Place Arts and Culture Centre, which seats up to 90 people (loose chairs), can be used for, but is not limited to, concerts, dancing, exhibitions, lectures, fairs, film screenings group meetings, launches, small theatre groups, social occasions, and workshops. If you need it, we can also organise catering.

Tickets for events are sold at reception during normal opening hours up to an hour before events.

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