Fifty-one new social homes at Slí Lorcáin in Monaghan Town were officially opened on Monday, 12 October, when Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, John Cummins TD, visited the county. Northern Sound reported the visit on Tuesday morning, confirming the council's account of the day.
After the opening, the Minister travelled on to Castleblayney to see work continuing at Connabury, where a further 26 social homes are under construction. Monaghan County Council said the stop highlighted its push to increase the supply of high-quality social housing for individuals and families across the county.
What opened at Slí Lorcáin
Slí Lorcáin is one of the larger social housing schemes delivered in Monaghan Town in recent years. The council describes the finished homes as modern and energy-efficient. An earlier departmental visit in the spring had shown the scheme in two phases: 22 homes ready in Phase 1, with a further 29 in Phase 2 then targeted for the third quarter of 2026. Monday's ceremony marked the completion of the full 51-home development.
Officially opening the scheme, Minister Cummins pointed to partnerships between local authorities, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, approved housing bodies, contractors and local communities. "The 51 new homes at Slí Lorcáin will provide high-quality, energy-efficient accommodation for individuals and families, while the additional 26 homes under construction at Connabury will further strengthen housing provision in Castleblayney," he said, according to the council's statement.
Connabury next for Castleblayney
Connabury has been on the county's delivery list through the year. In January, when the council set out its capital programme for 2026–2028, housing officials told members that schemes due for completion in 2026 included Connabury in Castleblayney alongside projects in Monaghan Town, Carrickmacross and Smithborough. Monday's site visit, the council said, showed construction progressing on the 26 homes there.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Aidan Campbell called the Slí Lorcáin opening "a significant milestone for Monaghan County Council and for the families who will make these houses their home". He also stressed the need to keep developing cost-rental and affordable units, and thanked housing staff for their work. Chief Executive Robert Burns said the 51 completed homes and the 26 under way at Connabury "demonstrate our commitment to providing quality homes and sustainable communities for our citizens".
Part of a wider delivery push
The council has been exceeding national social housing targets in recent years. Figures published around an earlier ministerial visit put delivery between 2022 and 2025 at 431 new social and affordable homes, or 144 per cent of the county's allocated target under national programmes. Housing remains the biggest slice of the local authority's multi-year capital plan.
For families on the social housing list in Monaghan Town, Slí Lorcáin's completion means keys for 51 households. For Castleblayney, Connabury's progress points to another 26 homes still to come once construction finishes. The council says it will keep working with the Department and delivery partners on further schemes across the county.
