Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne has announced that €63 million in funding has been awarded to local authorities in the Southern Region and the Eastern & Midland Region through THRIVE – the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme.
Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, THRIVE empowers local authorities to reimagine and adapt heritage buildings to create useful, vibrant and sustainable cultural and community hubs. THRIVE isn’t just restoring buildings, it’s nurturing a new design ethos in Irish town regeneration, combining Europe’s green vision with local energy and ambition.
THRIVE demonstrates how strategic investment can ignite local regeneration, bringing design, innovation and community vision together under the New European Bauhaus approach and Town Centre First policy.
Through a competitive funding call, local authorities demonstrated how citizen and community engagement determined the most beneficial end use for these buildings. Funded projects will include the transformation of disused libraries, barracks, halls, banks and more into spaces such as multi-functional community hubs, museums and event spaces, some of which even have roof gardens for the public to enjoy.
Funding has been awarded to the following urban centres in the ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme area:
| Local Authority | City/Town | Project Title/Building Name | THRIVE Adapted Reuse | Total Award |
| Carlow | Carlow | Former Bank of Ireland | Councillor and local authority public meeting rooms and community meeting space | €3,900,000 |
| Clare | Ennis | The Cloister | A multi-use community space including artist studios, conference and exhibition space and café | €6,997,047 |
| Cork City | Shandon, Cork City | Butter Exchange & Weighmasters House | Ed-Tech Enterprise Hub & Community Creative Space | €7,000,000 |
| Dun Laoghaire Rathdown | Dun Laoghaire | Georges Place & Washhouse | Centre for Creative Lifelong learning | €7,000,000 |
| Kerry | Tralee | Ashe Memorial Hall | Multi-purpose civic facility with museum, medieval experience and new community roof garden | €7,000,000 |
| Kilkenny | Kilkenny | Carnegie Library | Community Learning and Study Hub | €3,980,592 |
| Limerick City & County | King’s Island, Limerick City | The Fireplace Site | Educational and innovative design hub for the Forge Design Factory | €6,567,454 |
| Longford | Longford | Connolly Barracks | Historical and Music Museum, Café with Community learning and performance space | €7,000,000 |
| Louth | Drogheda | Westgate House | Multi-functional cultural and community hub, including theatre/performance space and rooftop public garden | €7,000,000 |
| South Dublin | Rathfarnham | Rathfarmham Castle Stables & Courtyards | Multi-purpose event space with craft studios, retail, restaurant and car parking | €7,000,000 |
€63 million Total Funding across the Southern region and Eastern & Midland region.
Welcoming the funding awards, Minister Browne said:
“This funding is about bringing our heritage buildings into the 21st century – giving local authorities the support they need to preserve and protect these important assets, and ensure their sustainable re-use for future generations. These kinds of regeneration projects add to the vibrancy of our towns and cities – revitalising our urban spaces and making them better places to live, work and visit.”
David Kelly, Director of the Southern Regional Assembly, said:
“The response to the THRIVE call has been exceptional, showing the appetite across our regions to tackle vacancy and bring heritage buildings back to life. THRIVE represents a turning point in how we approach regeneration in our regions. It brings together European funding, national funding and local expertise to create a blueprint for sustainable heritage restoration. This approach will not only transform individual towns but will also shape how we think about regeneration on a national scale.”
Cathaoirleach of the Southern Regional Assembly, Cllr Andrew McGuinness, said:
“Heritage buildings are part of the identity of our towns, holding memories and stories that matter to local people. This significant investment in the Southern Region and the Eastern and Midland Region puts communities firmly at the heart of town centre regeneration. It gives local people a say in how heritage buildings are repurposed, ensuring they meet the needs of modern life while celebrating their historic value.”
THRIVE is shaping a more beautiful, sustainable and inclusive future for Ireland’s town-centres. Projects funded under THRIVE are required to embrace the values of the New European Bauhaus, incorporating sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion. The initiative also encourages a citizen-centred, community-led approach to planning, design, and project selection within the Town Centre First framework.
The projects announced today are expected to start in late 2025 and will deliver long-lasting benefits for the local communities.
THRIVE is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 21-27. The scheme has been co-designed by the Regional Assemblies and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to address European, national and regional policy objectives. Further information is available on: https://southernassembly.ie/erdf-priority-3/thrive/
Further detail on successful projects:
Carlow County Council – €3.9 Million
The former Bank of Ireland building in Carlow Town, is set to be renovated and refurbished into a dual-purpose civic space, creating public interview and meeting rooms, Councillor meeting rooms, and flexible spaces for general meetings, community activities and events. Summing up their vision for the project, Louth County Council said “Ni neart go cur le cheile – There is no strength without unity – Brining community together to support transformation – Re-Energise/Revive = Alive”.
Built around 1900, the building is a protected structure in Carlow’s Cultural Quarter and will be revitalised to preserve its historic character while providing modern, flexible spaces that support both the Council’s operations and the wider community and cultural needs. The regeneration will include the conservation and restoration of the original building’s architectural features, a new single-storey extension to the rear of the building and an enhanced public area that is sustainable and accessible to all in line with the New European Bauhaus.
This project reflects a citizen-led vision for regeneration, ensuring that heritage is at the heart of Carlow’s civic and cultural life while creating a functional and welcoming hub for local people.
Clare County Council – €6,997,047
The Cloister Project in Ennis, Co Clare is set to transform a vacant heritage building in the town centre into a vibrant multi-use community space known as “Teach an Phobail.” The project will provide six artist studios, two classrooms, conference, exhibition, and heritage spaces, while retaining the existing café and kitchen, creating a dynamic hub for culture, learning, and community engagement supporting the values of the New European Bauhaus.
A protected structure, the Cloister is a detached, three-storey former house built around 1650. The building adjoins the historic Friary, the site where in the 17th century the Kingdom of Thomond became County Clare. Clare County Council describe this regeneration which will reopen five historic blocked-up openings between the buildings as, “Back to the Future – Located where Ennis was born in the 17th Century”.
This project reflects a citizen-led vision for regeneration, reimagining the Cloister as a welcoming and inclusive space that places heritage, creativity, and community at the heart of Clare’s cultural and civic life.
Cork City Council – €7 Million
The Weighmaster’s House and Butter Exchange in Shandon, Cork City are set to be reimagined as a pioneering Ed-Tech Enterprise hub. In the words of Cork City Council “Transforming from a Butter Exchange into a Knowledge and Learning Exchange”. Innovations developed in the Ed-Tech hub will be applied in a dedicated community and creative space, helping to upskill people of all ages and cultural backgrounds. This will be complemented by a biodiverse courtyard and garden providing a meeting place open to the public featuring pollinator planting, rainwater harvesting features, seating, and a flexible canopy.
This protected structure includes properties that are vacant, underused, and partly derelict. The Butter Exchange, originally built in 1770 and remodelled in 1849 with its distinctive portico entrance, was extended into the Weighmaster’s House. A fire in 1976, destroyed the main structure of the Butter Exchange.
This ambitious redevelopment will breathe new life into these historically significant buildings, transforming them into the only hub of this type in the Southern Region. Aligned to the New European Bauhaus by combining innovation, education, and heritage, the project will restore a vital piece of Cork’s architectural fabric while fostering a modern, inclusive space for learning, creativity, and community engagement.
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council – €7 Million
George’s Place and Washhouse Project in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, will see two historic buildings and the courtyard between them refurbished into a Centre for Creative Lifelong Learning. The ambition for the project is summed up by DLR County Council: “Tackling deprivation and transforming the Washhouse into a Lifelong Learning House for all”. The centre will offer studio spaces, teaching rooms, multi-purpose areas, and social spaces for community engagement. It will host programmes such as animation and filmmaking, support local groups with activities like music lessons, and build connections with the planned primary school at the adjacent former Fire Station.
No. 9 George’s Place, a three-storey building constructed in 1831 as a hotel and the detached, two-storey red-brick Washhouse, built in 1915, are both protected structures and are vacant and partially derelict buildings for approximately ten years. The regeneration will include a new three storey over lower ground floor extension to accommodate accessibility and the new biodiverse courtyard between the buildings will offer an opportunity to provide a visual educational demonstration of nature-based solutions for drainage, reinforcing the values of the New European Bauhaus.
This project will breathe new life into these historic spaces, creating a hub for creative learning and cultural activity that preserves the heritage of the site while providing accessible, innovative facilities for education and community use.
Kerry County Council – €7 Million
Ashe Memorial Hall, Tralee one of Ireland’s most historic heritage buildings, is set to undergo a major refurbishment to transform it into a multi-purpose civic facility with a redesigned museum, an immersive medieval experience, and a new community roof sanctuary garden that will provide spectacular views of the surrounding area and, as Kerry County Council phrased it, “connects land, air and sea with this iconic civil landmark building in the heart of Tralee”.
The construction of Ashe Memorial Hall commenced in 1924 and was officially opened in 1928, standing as one of the earliest civic buildings constructed under the Irish Free State. The building symbolises National pride and cultural resilience and it’s prominent location reinforces its architectural and symbolic significance. As it approaches its centenary in 2028, this landmark project will honour its remarkable legacy while preparing it for a new chapter.
Although currently in use, the building is considerably underutilised and will be reimagined to provide upgraded civic, educational, and cultural spaces that better serve the needs of the community. The refurbishment will incorporate improved accessibility for all and sustainability measures embedding the values of the New European Bauhaus while preserving and enhancing its historic character, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of civic life for generations to come.
This ambitious transformation will create a welcoming and inclusive hub for learning, culture, and community life in the heart of Kerry, reflecting a citizen-led vision for regeneration that places heritage, innovation, and public engagement at the centre of the county’s future.
Kilkenny County Council – €3,980,592
Carnegie Library on John’s Quay, Kilkenny is set to be transformed into a vibrant cultural hub at the heart of the city and will become “The Stories of Kilkenny – Welcome to Your Past, Present & Future”. The regeneration will see a refurbishment of the building to improve energy efficiency and accessiblity and a redesigned space to the side and rear of the building providing a public meeting space within a sustainable garden.
The regenerated building will provide open access to local studies, research, and family history resources, alongside exhibitions and heritage programmes designed to celebrate Kilkenny’s rich history. It will actively reach into the community, engaging schools, adult learners, cultural organisations, migrants, and marginalised groups through a dynamic programme of outreach, workshops, and lectures, ensuring the building serves as a welcoming and inclusive space for all in line with values and principles of the New European Bauhaus.
A protected structure, this detached single-storey Classical-style library, sits within the John Street Architectural Conservation Area. Designed in 1907 and serving as a public library since 1910, it remains an important part of Kilkenny’s civic and cultural heritage.
This project reflects a citizen-led vision for regeneration, preserving a landmark of local identity while reimagining it as a vibrant cultural and educational centre for generations to come.
Limerick City & County Council – €6,567,454
The Fireplace Site Project will transform a derelict heritage site on Nicholas Street, Kings Island, Limerick City into the Forge Design Factory, Ireland’s first Forge Design Hub. Limerick City and County Council summarise the project with a simple but powerful idea: “If these walls could talk – Viking History facilitates design, creativity and innovation for the future of Kings Island”.
The redevelopment will convert a vacant dwelling and 17th-century medieval walls into artist studios, a textile workshop, exhibition space, café, retail units, and a courtyard and plant dye garden, creating a dynamic cultural and commercial destination that combines innovation, education, and community engagement. The redevelopment with focus on sustainable and circular options including the use of Limerick cobbles, green roofs, solar panels and working with Limerick Materials Bank.
The project site includes No. 35 Nicholas Street, a vacant former dwelling, and Nos. 36–39 Nicholas Street, a derelict area featuring significant heritage elements, including upstanding medieval walls and a preserved medieval stone fireplace. Historically occupied by medieval merchants’ houses and later small-scale commercial premises, this protected structure site sits between two of Limerick’s most important landmarks, King John’s Castle and St. Mary’s Cathedral.
This project reflects a citizen-led vision for regeneration in line with the New European Bauhaus, restoring a key part of Limerick’s historic urban fabric while establishing a new centre for educational and innovative design, creativity, and cultural activity at the heart of the city.
Longford County Council – €7 Million
Former Connolly Barracks, Longford is set to be transformed into a vibrant historical and music museum and community hub, offering cultural spaces, creative facilities, performance areas, and multifunctional amenities. The regeneration will include the refurbishment of the existing building to ensure it is energy efficient and accessible to all and a new single storey rear extension will link the building with the River Camlin. In the words of Longford County Council “A Stronghold (An Long fort) reimagined for Communities to THRIVE” in Longford Town.
This detached nineteen-bay H shaped barracks built in 1815 is named after Brigadier Sean Connolly of the Longford Brigade and stands as an important landmark in the county’s military and civic heritage.
At present, 100% of the building is vacant, aside from its occasional use for seasonal cultural and arts events, leaving much of its historic potential untapped. This ambitious project will bring the site back to life, creating Longford’s first museum while providing the community with a dynamic space to gather, learn, and celebrate local history and culture creating a sense of belonging in line with the New European Bauhaus.
The redevelopment will respect and preserve the building’s historic fabric while adapting it for modern civic and cultural use, ensuring that this landmark serves as a cornerstone of community pride and a catalyst for regeneration in Longford’s town centre.
Louth County Council – €7 Million
Westgate House in Drogheda, County Louth, is set to be revitalised into a vibrant cultural and community hub, combining historic architecture with modern facilities to bring new life to the town centre. Reflecting the project’s fusion of past and future, Louth County Council state: – “Transforming a Symbol of Decline into A Symbol of Hope for Drogheda”. The project will link the buildings through a new extension providing accessibility to all and will create a new flexible theatre space with a rooftop public garden, providing exhibition and performance areas, artist studios, digital media facilities, and meeting rooms for local groups and the wider community.
Built around 1790 on the site of the 13th-century town wall, Westgate House is named after the town’s now-lost main gate into the walled town. The regenerated building will provide training in performing arts and will offer services including immigration support, mental health advocacy, youth programmes and language classes to intercultural and intergenerational members of the community embedding the values of the New European Bauhaus.
This project reflects a citizen-led vision for regeneration, preserving the historic character of Westgate House while creating a flexible, accessible hub that will reconnect the public with this significant part of the town’s heritage.
South Dublin County Council – €7 Million
Rathfarnham Castle Stables and Courtyards in Dublin 14, are set for a major revival, turning long-neglected derelict estate buildings into a lively community and cultural destination. As South Dublin County Council put it: “Reanimating Heritage: A New Doorway linking the Park, Castle and Village”. The project will adapt seven historic structures across four courtyards to accommodate event spaces, arts and crafts studios, a restaurant, retail areas, exhibition zones, and essential amenities.
Constructed between the 16th and 19th centuries, these stables and outbuildings were central to the estate’s agricultural and domestic operations and include the historically significant Cromwell’s Fort. The regeneration of these buildings will incorporate energy efficiency measures, accessibility for all and will create places for meeting, learning, leisure, health and wellbeing for people of all ages and ability aligned to the New European Bauhaus.
This project embraces a citizen-led approach to regeneration, safeguarding the estate’s heritage while creating a multifunctional, accessible space that will reconnect the public with the history and character of Rathfarnham Castle.
