A. Old Cinemas, Courthouses, Hotels, Convents, and Market Houses to be transformed into remote working hubs, libraries, e-learning, cultural, enterprise and community spaces
B. Development of pedestrian zones, green areas and outdoor public spaces to breathe new life into town centres
C. Focus on combatting dereliction, increasing the vibrancy of towns and regenerating iconic town centre buildings with new purpose
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced €75million for 24 landmark regeneration projects in rural communities across the country. The funding, which is being provided under the €1Billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will support the key objectives of Our Rural Future – the Government’s ambitious new policy for Rural Ireland. A large number of the successful projects provide for the regeneration of vacant town centre buildings as remote working and hot-desking facilities. These projects will support remote workers and commuters to work from and remain in their own local community.
Announcing the funding today, Minister Humphreys said: “Just three weeks ago, the Government launched Our Rural Future, the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in decades. Today we are putting that policy firmly into action and delivering major investment aimed at town centre regeneration and supporting remote working. These projects will breathe new life into towns and villages across the country making them attractive and vibrant places for people to live, work, socialise and raise a family.”
Examples of Successful Projects include:
1. €8.78m for Ballybofey-Stranolar, Co. Donegal: Restoration of the old Ritz Cinema Heritage Building into a 1,400sq.m Enterprise and Remote Working Hub.
2. €6m for Ballymahon, Co. Longford: Renovation of three historic town centre buildings including the vacant former convent building, the old Boys School and the former Dean Egan Library into a Co-Working Space, Youth Hub and a Community Centre.
3. €4m for Youghal Co. Cork: Derelict site and buildings on the main street to be transformed into a new library, remote learning hub and community space. This town centre project will significantly enhance the character and streetscape in the heart of Youghal.
4. €2.8m for the Thurles Market Quarter, Co Tipperary: This project will renovate a 19th Century vacant agriculture building and associated car park to create the new Thurles Market Quarter. The new Quarter will include a designated market space, a multi-functional events space and a Student’s Union and Café.
5. €2m for Remote Working Hub on Iveragh Peninsula, Co Kerry: This project will deliver a Digital Hub that will provide workspace for up to 50 people on the peninsula. The gteic Hub will provide remote learning and upskilling programmes, support small businesses to develop and expand and provide remote working space for the surrounding region.
6. €2.55m for Portumna Courthouse Arts Centre, Co. Galway: After being vacant for two decades, the courthouse will be the site of a new multi-purpose arts, performance, remote working and social space, with the courtyard becoming an outdoor social space.
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Issued by
Youghal Social-Economic Development Group
85, North Main Street, Youghal, Co. Cork