Clare County Council is participating in a new initiative to identify a vacant or under-utilised heritage or historic building in Ennis town centre for adaptation into a community space.

Funded by the government through the ERDF Regional Programmes and managed by the Southern Regional Assembly, the THRIVE Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme supports local authorities and their communities in revitalising town centres. The scheme focuses on transforming publicly owned vacant, under-utilised, or derelict heritage buildings within key town centres through renovation, renewal, and adaptive reuse. It aims to fulfil the objectives outlined in the National Planning Framework and the Southern Regional Spatial Economic Strategy.

The THRIVE Scheme offers local authorities funding to conduct studies on the renovation, refurbishment, and adaptation of one vacant and derelict heritage building in their town centres. Heritage buildings eligible for the scheme are those with unique architectural, historical, archaeological or artistic qualities, or those connected to the cultural and economic history of a place.

As part of the process, tenders are being sought from experienced and qualified consultants to create a new Integrated Urban Strategy for Clare County Council, focused on heritage properties, which will identify and prioritise projects that encourage the conservation and adaptive reuse of Ennis' extensive built heritage, and address vacancy and dereliction in the Town Centre. It will also deliver on one of the actions (Action 21) set out in the Ennis 2040 Economic and Social Strategy which seeks to showcase the unique heritage and architecture of Ennis.

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The successful consultancy team is expected to be appointed next month, prior to an extensive Stakeholder and Citizen Engagement Workshop where a range of heritage buildings will be presented for consideration. Following this, a draft strategy and a proposed heritage project will be presented to Elected Members and the public in October. This will precede the submission of a Part 8 planning application and an application for THRIVE funding in 2025.

Mayor of Ennis Municipal District, Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy stated:

"The primary goal of this new scheme is to inject new life into the heart of Ennis, so that it can function as the sustainable and vibrant heart of the community it serves,” explained Mayor of Ennis Municipal District. It is important that we, through collaborative stakeholder engagement, avail of this funding scheme to deliver a transformative project that benefits our town centre and the wider community. The Elected Members will also play their part by supporting heritage-led regeneration and tackling vacancy as part of the delivery of the Town Centre First policy."

Carmel Kirby, Director of Economic Development and Ennis MD said the Integrated Urban Strategy, the development of which is a listed action of the Ennis 2040 Economic and Spatial Strategy, will focus on the town’s heritage and architecture and will support adaptive reuse of one vacant or under-utilised heritage buildings at a local level.

Ms Kirby said: "The objective of this strategy is to preserve the county’s distinctive cultural and environmental assets, promote economic growth, and enhance the quality of life through sustainable urban development. Clare County Council looks forward to working with all stakeholders in identifying projects that will positively impact local businesses and further enhance the town's appeal to residents, visitors and potential investors."

Joan Tarmey, Town Regeneration Officer for Clare County Council commented: "The town’s successful participation in THRIVE will depend on the extent to which local stakeholders, property owners and the people of Ennis engage with Clare County Council in delivering this Integrated Urban Strategy focused on heritage buildings that deliver a significant and long-lasting positive impact on our town centre. There is an opportunity here to return a vacant heritage building back into use, whilst addressing community needs. The community and stakeholder engagement will be important in giving the people of Ennis a voice in the selection of a heritage building and its end use."