Minister Heather Humphreys has announced funding of €115m for 23 rural regeneration projects across the country.
The projects include repurposing the former MBNA building in Carrick-on-Shannon into an enterprise centre.
The projects are being funded as part of Our Rural Future, the government’s five-year policy for rural development.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development made the announcement in Cappoquin, Co Waterford where funding of over €5m is being provided to convert three derelict town centre buildings including a former hotel, pub and department store into residential accommodation.
The Cappoquin Regeneration Project will also see the development of ‘over the shop’ living accommodation in the town centre as well as the renovation of three historic town houses on the main street.
In Association with
“These projects will see long vacant, disused and derelict buildings in our rural towns given a new lease of life and purpose for the 21st century,” said Humphreys.
“We are all familiar with historic old buildings in our local towns which have lay vacant for far too long. In many cases, these are old courthouses or churches of real historical significance and heritage value.
“These are iconic buildings in our town centres and I don’t want to see them lying idle, falling into disrepair or becoming dilapidated eyesores.
“The funding will help redevelop these buildings and give them new purpose as community and cultural facilities, libraries, co-working hubs, enterprise and tourism hubs and of course like here in Cappoquin, they can even become new homes.”
Our Rural Future Projects
€5.2m for Charleville Town Centre Renewal, Co Cork: Charleville Courthouse will be renovated into a new remote working hub. A currently vacant heritage building on Chapel Street will be converted into a new Arts and Community Centre. In addition, an old HSE building in the town will be converted into the new home of the Men’s Shed and local snooker club.
€4.3m for Athy, Co Kildare: The Old Model School & Grounds in Athy date back to the 1800s. This project will see this historic building converted into an Innovation Hub. The project will support food entrepreneurs and start-ups.
€3.5m for Kilrush, Co Clare: Redevelop a vacant building on the marina in Kilrush into a new Maritime Training Centre relevant to the offshore renewable energy sector.
€4.6m for Ballinrobe, Co Mayo: Regenerate the former Valkenburg complex (built in 1820) in the town centre to provide a multi-purpose community facility, cultural and performance space.
€1.3m for Pilltown, Co Kilkenny: Redevelop an historic old stone Creamery building into a social enterprise and community space.
€11.9m for Cahir Town Centre Regeneration, Co Tipperary: The Market House will be renovated to include additional space for Cahir Enterprise Centre as well as co-working/hot desking facilities. The old Granary Building on Church Street will also be refurbished and renovated to become a new Town Library and Gallery.
€1.5m for Durrow, Co Laois: Redevelopment of the former Methodist Chapel and Hall into an Enterprise Centre with co-working space as well as a gallery and exhibition space.
€6.9m for Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan: Redevelop and refurbish the derelict former Percy French hotel and site in the town centre to provide for a remote working hub and community facilities.
€6.3m for Ramelton, Co Donegal: This project includes a wide range of elements including the development of a new Public Park, Children’s Play Area and Sensory Garden.
€3.8m for Castlepollard, Co. Westmeath: Refurbishment and extension of the Market House for use as a community and tourism services hub and the creation of a large town park.
€5.5m for Bandon, Co Cork: Converting a former bank building into a community facility and the redevelopment of the old town library into a remote working facility.
€14.4m for Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary: New digital hub, major public realm upgrades, an arrival point for the Suir Blueway, and an Amenity and Biodiversity Park.
€4.4m for Boyle, Co Roscommon: New community library on a brownfield site in the town centre.
€7.2m for Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim: Purchase and re-development of the 112,000 sq. ft. former MBNA campus and development of an enterprise campus at the site.
Humphreys added that the projects are across two phases.
The projects in Phase 1 can be commenced immediately. The projects in Phase 2 will be delivered based on a timeframe to be agreed with the Department of Rural & Community Development.
This timeframe will be linked to the level of progress achieved on the Phase 1 projects located in the county concerned and on existing projects already funded by the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund in the relevant county.
The full list of approved projects, detailing those contained in Phase 1 and Phase 2, is available here.
