The Wicklow Hospice Foundation has said it will seek tenders for building its planned 15-bed hospice facility at Magheramore in Brittas Bay.
The announcement follows final approval for the commencement of the project by the Health Service Executive in December.
Long-term funding of over €3 million a year is due to be made available to run the facility from 2018, when the building is expected to be completed.
Our Lady's Hospice, Harold's Cross, will operate the hospice.
Chairman of the Wicklow Hospice Foundation Dr Brendan Cuddihy said it was a landmark day for Wicklow and the board will start the tender process immediately.
The site has been donated by the Columban Sisters and full planning permission was secured in January.
Since the foundation was established in 2009, over €3 million has been raised by the people of Wicklow towards the costs of building the facility.
Arising from the decision to extend the original 12-bed facility to a 15-bed facility, to cater for the people of Co Wicklow and north Wexford, the foundation will be required to raise the balance of the capital building costs.
It said the final fundraising requirements will not delay the building process.
The project is expected to be fully completed and open for the first patients by the end of 2018.
Local resident and multi-Oscar winning actor, Daniel Day-Lewis, is one of the foundation's patrons.
