THRIVE
THRIVE - Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme
THRIVE, the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme, was launched by Minister of State for Local Government and Planning Kieran O'Donnell TD on February 8, 2024. The scheme is run under Ireland's two European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Regional Programmes and is providing €120 million to support local authorities and their citizens to reimagine town centres and transform publicly owned vacant or derelict heritage buildings through renovation, renewal, and adaptive reuse.
THRIVE is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021–2027.
The scheme incorporates the core values of the New European Bauhaus – sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion – and promotes a citizen-centred, community-led approach to planning, design, and project selection under the Town Centre First Framework. THRIVE is targeted at larger urban settlements – cities, regional growth centres, and key towns – and focuses on publicly owned heritage buildings. These are defined as structures with unique architectural, historical, archaeological, or artistic qualities, or those linked to the cultural and economic history of a place.
THRIVE Application Strands
THRIVE launched two calls for applications in February 2024:
Strand 1:
- Development and enhancement of integrated urban strategies
- Identification of conservation and adaptive reuse projects
- Creation of investment-ready project pipelines
Strand 2:
- Renovation and adaptive reuse of vacant or derelict heritage buildings
- Delivery of pilot and pathfinder projects to reduce town centre vacancy and dereliction
Connolly Barracks Reimagined – Strand 1 & Strand 2 Success
In April 2024, Longford County Council submitted a Strand 1 application to develop proposals for the redevelopment of Connolly Barracks into a community/cultural/library space. This was approved in May 2024, with €199,020 awarded to progress design, environmental assessments, business case development, and Part 8 consent. Robin Lee Architects were appointed following a procurement process to lead this work.
The need for such a space was clearly identified during public consultation for the Longford Town Centre First Plan, with strong community support for a county museum and cultural hub to support integration and the arts sector.
In October 2025, Longford County Council secured €7 million in Strand 2 funding to deliver the project. This allows the Council to proceed to tender and begin construction.
Project Highlights
The redevelopment will transform the long-vacant barracks into a vibrant facility featuring:
- County museum
- Community café
- Creative makerspace
- Podcast and recording studio
- Meeting rooms and music facilities
- Flexible conference/performance space and training facilities
- Accessibility upgrades
- Sustainability features (solar panels, rainwater harvesting)
- Enhanced public realm
Community & Leadership Support
- Cathaoirleach Cllr Garry Murtagh: “This funding transforms a symbol of the past into a beacon for our future.”
- Chief Executive Paddy Mahon: “A dynamic space where our diverse communities can connect, create, and celebrate together.”
- Director of Services John Brannigan: “A flagship model of sustainable, inclusive, and heritage-sensitive urban transformation.”
The project has received full support from Elected Members, particularly those representing the Longford Municipal District.
Impact
The restoration will:
- Preserve architectural heritage
- Respond to population growth and diversity
- Generate employment, tourism, and business opportunities
- Create shared spaces that bridge communities and generations
Work is expected to commence following the tender process, with the transformed Connolly Barracks set to become a cornerstone of Longford’s cultural and community landscape.
