Almost €4 million awarded for refurbishment of former bank in Carlow town
Bank of Ireland, Athy Road Photo: michaelorourke
FUNDING of €3.9 million has been awarded to Carlow County Council to refurbish the former Bank of Ireland.
The former Bank of Ireland building in Carlow town is set to be renovated and refurbished into a dual-purpose civic space, creating public interview and meeting rooms, councillor meeting rooms and flexible spaces for general meetings, community activities and events.
Built around 1900, the building is a protected structure in Carlow’s cultural quarter. It will be revitalised to preserve its historic character while providing modern, flexible spaces that support both the council’s operations and the wider community and cultural needs. The regeneration will include the conservation and restoration of the original building’s architectural features, a new single-storey extension to the rear of the building and an enhanced public area that is sustainable and accessible to all in line with the New European Bauhaus.
The funding has been awarded through THRIVE – the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme.
Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, THRIVE empowers local authorities to reimagine and adapt heritage buildings to create useful, vibrant and sustainable cultural and community hubs. THRIVE isn’t just restoring buildings, it’s nurturing a new design ethos in Irish town regeneration, combining Europe’s green vision with local energy and ambition.
Other successfully funded projects in other counties include the transformation of disused libraries, barracks, halls and banks into multi-functional community hubs, museums and event spaces, some of which even have roof gardens for the public to enjoy.
