Local Authority respond to €15.3m regeneration boost

Westmeath County Council has welcomed the allocation of €15.3 million in Government funding for four major regeneration projects in Mullingar and Athlone.

The funding, announced under the new Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund, will support the redevelopment of underused areas, public realm improvements and new community and civic infrastructure.

Mullingar has secured €7.65 million across two projects.

A €150,000 allocation will fund the development of the Mullingar Southwestern Quadrant Regeneration Framework/Priority Area Plan. The plan will guide the future regeneration and sustainable development of the town's inner area, focusing on the area around Grove Street, Blackhall Place and Mount Street.

A further €7.5 million has been allocated to the Blackhall Regeneration Project. The funding will support enabling works and public realm and access infrastructure at Blackhall Place, with the aim of bringing the area to a fully serviced and development-ready condition.

In Athlone, the Council has also secured €7.65 million for two projects.

The Athlone Tourism and Cultural Quarter – Phase 1 will receive €150,000 to progress plans for the transformation of Market Square into a people-focused civic and cultural space in the centre of the town.

The largest allocation, €7.5 million, will support the Athlone Riverside Cultural and Public Realm Regeneration Project.

The project includes the first phase of a planned 170-metre River Shannon boardwalk, which the Council says will provide a missing link in the town's pedestrian and active travel network while improving connectivity, safety and accessibility.

It will also include the Athlone Castle Exhibition and Fit-Out Project, described as a construction-ready enhancement of one of the town's key cultural and tourism assets.

Under the scheme, eligible towns can receive up to 75% funding, with local authorities required to provide 25% match funding.

Westmeath County Council said the investment will strengthen the vitality of Mullingar and Athlone, support town-centre living and advance regeneration.

The Council said it will now progress the projects in collaboration with local communities, stakeholders and national partners.