Is this an opportunity for Castlebar to revitalise Main Street?
West poised to benefit from €25m. town centre heritage investment
Building on the success of the initial funding round in 2024, Ireland’s Regional Assemblies has announced the second call for applications under Strand 2 of THRIVE – the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme.
A total of €85 million in funding, including €25 million allocated for the northern and western region, will be made available through Ireland’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programmes to restore vacant or derelict heritage buildings in public ownership; revitalising urban centres, bringing valued heritage buildings back into use as community assets and delivering on New European Bauhaus and Town Centre First policies.
The funding call opened today with awards of up to €7 million available to refurbish, restore, and adapt publicly owned heritage buildings within town centres.
With 100% grant aid available, local authorities are encouraged to act swiftly, as this competitive funding opportunity promises to generate significant interest nationwide.
THRIVE empowers local authorities to reimagine and adapt heritage buildings, preserving their historical and cultural significance while creating vibrant and sustainable urban spaces.
Heritage buildings are defined as structures with unique architectural, historical, archaeological, or artistic qualities, or those that hold cultural and economic significance to their locations.
Announcing the second call, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, said: “I very much welcome the launch of the new €85 million THRIVE call under the ERDF Regional Programmes.
"This funding gives local authorities the tools to bring Ireland’s heritage buildings into the 21st century, not only preserving and protecting these important heritage assets, but also ensuring their sustainable re-use for future generations.
"I look forward to seeing the regeneration benefits that will arise out of this funding and will strengthen the vibrancy of towns and cities throughout Ireland.”
Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon, stated: “The THRIVE scheme underscores our commitment to tackling vacancy, promoting heritage-led regeneration, and delivering on the Town Centre First policy.
"The Town Centre First approach ensures that local authorities are engaged with their citizens in developing new plans to transform and celebrate these underutilised heritage buildings for the benefit of their communities, while breathing new life into towns and urban centres across the country”.
Welcoming the call, cathaoirleach of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, Councillor Jarlath Munnelly, highlighted the transformative potential of the THRIVE scheme.
He said: “By addressing vacancy and restoring our heritage buildings, we can turn town centres into vibrant hubs where people want to live, work, and visit. This funding represents a key step towards sustainable urban regeneration in our region.”
The funding call will be managed in the Northern and Western Region by the ERDF Managing Authority – the Northern and Western Regional Assembly.
Application guidelines and eligibility criteria are available from the Northen and Western Regional Assembly Website www.nwra.ie/thrive