A former Cork school, attended by Éamon de Valera, has been reopened as social housing units.
The site of the former Christian Brothers School on Charleville's Main Street has been turned into nine new social housing apartments.
It is the latest in a growing list of projects from the Peter McVerry Trust that is reusing derelict and empty buildings.
The school was attended by former President Éamon de Valera for three years, between 1896 and 1898.
He would walk seven miles each day from Bruree in Co Limerick.
Eamon De ValeraRemodelled in the 1920s, and eventually closed in 1972, the building was delisted in 2014 - and used by various community groups until it fell into disrepair.
Peter McVerry Trust secured the project with the support of Cork County Council under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) from the Department of Housing.
The property is made up of seven one-bed apartments, as well as a three-bed and a two-bed apartment for families, along with communal garden facilities.
The first tenants have already moved in and Centenary House, as it will now be known, will soon be fully occupied.
The old building had a BER rating of G, but all apartments have been upgraded to a B1 or A3.
Centenary House in Charleville, Co Cork. Picture by: The Peter McVerry TrustPat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust, said the building is particularly special.
"We are delighted to be delivering this important project for Charleville alongside Cork County Council and under the Government’s Housing for All plan," he said.
"The nine homes... are very much in keeping with our expertise as a housing provider.
"That is the redevelopment of derelict buildings as social housing.
"This building is particularly special given its historic landmark status in the heart of the town.
"All Peter McVerry Trust tenants who will make this their new home will receive ongoing supports from our local Housing with Supports team and will come from the local authority housing list".
Officially launching the new homes, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said: "It is greatly encouraging to see a derelict building brought back into use for social homes, particularly one of such historic importance.
"Peter McVerry Trust is a valued partner in the Government’s efforts to tackle homelessness, and I’ve always been impressed by their ambition and expertise in transforming vacant properties right across the country," he added.
