Tracton Arts and Community Centre is proof of how beneficial repurposing old heritage buildings for community use can be, Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan said.

Speaking after a recent screening of SeanScoil (Old School) - a short film about how a rural Irish community turned a threatened 1836 schoolhouse into the vibrant arts and community centre - Minister O’Sullivan said viewers of the film should find it inspirational.

 The screening featured a special musical performance by the renowned musician Liam Ó Maonlaí.

‘Lorraine Hogan has made a beautiful short film about how a community saved an old school building from demolition and created a space for art, music, nature and people,’ he said. ‘It honours local spirit, cultural heritage, and the value of collective action and will inspire communities right across Ireland to bring old heritage buildings back to life.

‘Thank you Lorraine for asking me to open the film, and thanks to Liam for the gorgeous music and to the local community for their kind welcome.’

The West Cork TD urged communities looking to repurpose heritage buildings to investigate the Historic Structures Fund, which offers grants of €200,000 to refurbish heritage structures where there is a clear community, public or residential benefit.

‘Applications are now open,’ he said. ‘I’d urge anyone looking to strengthen their community by repurposing a heritage building to look at the range of funding available.’

The re-edited version of the film, Seanscoil 2025, is a finalist for Best Short 2025 at the Waterford Film Festival and was screened at Tracton Community Centre at Minane Bridge on November 7th.