Revealed: the 26 towns in Ireland to have centres ‘revitalised’ through projects tackling dereliction

Each of the towns across the country will receive support from the Government with funding of €30,000 each to complete a comprehensive town plan.

The towns are: Tullow in Co Carlow, Bailieborough in Co Cavan, Sixmilebridge in Co Clare, and Skibbereen in Co Cork. Also listed are Milford in Co Donegal, Lusk in Dublin, Gort in Co Galway, Milltown in Co Kerry and Clane in Co Kildare.

Urlingford in Co Kilkenny, Rathdowney in Co Laois, and Carrick-on-Shannon in Leitrim also make the list.

Abbeyfeale in Co Limerick, Longford Town, Dunleer in Co Louth and Killala in Mayo are included.

In Meath it's Enfield, Monaghan has Carrickmacross and Offaly has Clara on the list.

Meanwhile Strokestown in Cor Roscommon, Tubbercurry in Co Sligo, Roscrea in Tipperary, Portlaw in Co Waterford, Moate in Westmeath, New Ross in Co Wexford and Blessington in Wicklow round off the list

Plans were developed in consultation with local communities who represent the vision of local people for their area and contain proposals for a diverse range of projects.

These include such redeveloping derelict sites, creating community parks and walkways, boosting SME and tourism potential, and protecting historical landmarks.

Town Regeneration Officers have been appointed in every Local Authority to drive implementation of the new plans with the support of Government funding through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.

The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Town Centre First Heritage Revival (THRIVE) Scheme and the Historic Towns Initiative will also provide funding.

Speaking at the launch today, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys said “communities are at the heart of rural Ireland.”

She stressed that the Town Centre First plans, as part of the programme that started in 2022 are “all about empowering people to develop a vision for their town that can make it a better place to live, work, invest in and enjoy.”

“Town Centre First supports the objectives of the national rural development policy, Our Rural Future, in revitalising rural towns and engages communities through “Town Teams”. Every town is different, and so local visions take account of these unique challenges, needs and opportunities.

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Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O'Donnell, said: “The Town Centre First approach empowers local communities and businesses, supported by Local Authorities, to guide and direct investment to maximise the particular strengths and assets of their town.”

Mr O’Donnell congratulated and commended all the local communities and Town Teams for their “dedicated work” in designing their plans.

“Town Centre First also supports the objectives of the National Planning Framework and Housing for All by unlocking the potential of vacant and underused buildings to increase housing supply and attract more people to live and work in our town centres,” he added.

Town Centre First National co-ordinator, Mairéad Hunt, said towns now have a “unique opportunity” to participate in Town Centre First and create more vibrant and attractive town centres.

"Our Town Teams are doing fantastic work around the country creating and driving forward ambitious plans.

"We want to see many more Town Teams, so it is very welcome that the Department of Rural and Community Development is giving local authorities funding of up to €10,000 to establish new Town Teams or build up existing teams,” she added.

To find out more about the initiative and how communities can become involved, visit towncentrefirst.ie.