Major plans for 'The Hulk' orphanage in Co Kildare

Planning permission has been lodged to build a nursing home at 'The Hulk' 18th Century building in Monasterevin.

A developer wants to convert part of the three-storey premises - which was a former Protestant school -  into a craft shop, cafe, museum and artists' studio.

Also being proposed on the site is a two-storey 60-bed nursing home along with a car park.

A two-storey creche is also on the plans submitted to Kildare Co Council.

In addition, a development of 115 homes comprising of two, three, four and five bedroom units is also planned for the area off the main Limerick Road outside Monasterevin.

The planning application has been lodged in the name of developer Michael Dunne.

“The Hulk” was a Charter School set up in 1758 to educate orphaned Protestant children.

The building was later used as a warehouse and there were subsequent plans to develop the property which never came to fruition.