Kingscourt’s €11m revamp to see derelict former bank premises become library and multi-functional hub

Major plans to regenerate the town of Kingscourt including the refurbishment of two former bank premises into a library and multi-functional hub have been given a massive funding boost with almost €10.9m announced towards the project last week.

The derelict former National Irish Bank premises which had become an eyesore in the town, is to be transformed into a long-campaigned for library, while the Bank of Ireland building, which closed in October 2021 will become a digital hub with community workspace.

Kingscourt Town Centre Regeneration is one of 30 regeneration projects nationwide to share €164m in funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys.

A total of €10,897,812 has been allocated towards the Kingscourt Town Centre Regeneration, while €6,129,442 has been earmarked for St Michael’s Hall Community Centre in Cootehill. The two projects will have a combined project cost of €18,919,171, with the balance of €1,891,917 being contributed by Cavan County Council.

The investment is being provided under the RRDF with a particular emphasis on the revitalisation of rural town centres, which is a key objective of the Our Rural Future and Town Centre First Policies.

News of funding to has been welcomed by Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Philip Brady saying: "Today is a red letter day for east Cavan, as we see another historic investment by the Government in rural communities in the county. The application process for these funds is extremely competitive and great credit is due to the team in Cavan County Council who, working with the local communities and project partners, put together extremely detailed and compelling applications. I look forward to watching these transformative projects progress in the coming years.”

Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Eoin Doyle said, “Today’s announcement by Minister Humphreys is most welcome and the product of a great deal of preparatory work by our staff. On a momentous occasion such as this, I want to also acknowledge our councillors, without whose support in terms of match funding, we could not pursue these ambitious projects”.

The Kingscourt Town Centre Regeneration scheme includes the refurbishment, adaptation and extension of the former National Irish Bank building on Market Square as a new library and part-demolition of existing outbuilding. It also includes refurbishment works to the formerly Bank of Ireland building on Main Street, a protected structure, which is to be adapted to a new remote working hub, with the rear extension to be demolished and replaced with a new extension for accessibility.

Planning permission is already in place for the overall scheme, which also includes the reconfiguration of the former Shekleton’s site including the partial demolition of the overhanging room above the entrance gate, demolition of outbuildings located to the rear of the main building and demolition of former salon building to the north of Shekleton’s to accommodate a new access road from Main Street to proposed off-street car parking area to accommodate 126 cars.

The road layout and car parking are to be reconfigured with public realm enhancements to the Main Street between Market Square and Kells Road Roundabout, and enhancements to Market Square. A new segregated cycleway along the Main Street is also part of the plan.

A new access road from Rocks Road to the proposed off-street car parking area is planned incorporating repairs to existing boundary walls, and junction improvements and traffic calming measures on Rocks Road and St Mary’s Road to facilitate new access to the off-street parking area.

Public realm enhancements including new tree planting, greening, paving, street furniture, sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDs), street lighting, undergrounding of overhead cables, and associated works and services to Main Street, Market Square, Rocks Road and proposed off-street car parking area. All works are within the Kingscourt Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) and a Heritage Statement and Architectural Impact Assessment statement formed part of the application.