Carrickmacross to get funding to help renovate The Bridewell

Carrickmacross has been allocated €50,000 in Town Centre First funding for a project that aims to bring a derelict building known as The Bridewell back into use as a community hub.

The announcement was made by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, who today announced funding of €2.6 million to support the development of a wide range of Town Centre First projects.

The National Built Heritage Service, a section of the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, says that "despite its dereliction this former bridewell still retains its original character. The roughcast rendered walls, tooled limestone quoins and contrasting sandstone dressings give the building a formal quality typical of public buildings. The building acts as a visual stop to views down Bridewell Lane from Main Street, and the sloping site is evident in the facade."

The funding announced today goes towards a project that will carry out preliminary and final designs to bring the building to a "shovel ready" stage for a future funding application to bring the building back into use as a community hub. The project, it adds, will also support the development and submission of planning permission.

Announcing today's funding, where a total of 53 projects will be supported with up to €50,000 of funding per project, Minister Humphreys said, “I’m delighted to announce funding of €2.6 million today which will support Local Authorities and Town Teams to develop a strong pipeline of shovel-ready projects in our local towns.

"I am announcing funding for a wide range of projects today from the development of green spaces and parks in our town centres to projects which look at how vacant and derelict buildings in our towns can be brought back into use. I look forward to seeing these exciting projects and initiatives progress and make positive impacts for our rural towns and villages”.