Marlhill Construction Services Limited has secured the contract for the refurbishment of two vacant properties in Cappoquin, Waterford City and County Council has announced.

The properties, the former Fennell's Pub and the former Unaicke's Shop which were originally constructed in the mid-19th century, will both be refurbished for new commercial uses.

The 185-year-old buildings will be transformed into a three-bed residential upper floor accommodation unit, and a two-bed residential upper floor accommodation unit over two number ground floor commercial premises.

Speaking at the contract signing in Blackwater House in Cappoquin, Dr Ben Murphy, Chairperson and Director of Cappoquin Regeneration Company CLG, said that he and his fellow directors and members of Cappoquin Regeneration Company are delighted to see works progressing on the town: "This is yet another milestone in Cappoquin's regeneration and I would like to thank the people of Cappoquin for their vision and dedication, and also Waterford City and County Council and the Tomar Trust for the realisation of the Cappoquin Regeneration Project."

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The Department of Rural and Community Development is investing over €6m in the overall Cappoquin Regeneration Project through its Rural Regeneration & Development Fund (RRDF). This investment is augmented by additional funding from Waterford City and County Council, the Cappoquin Regeneration Company and the Tomar Trust. The Regeneration Project aims to address vacancy and dereliction in the town centre and invest in the town centre’s public domain.

Extensive reconstruction, refurbishment and conservation works will be completed over the coming 12 months with the new properties ready for occupation by the later part of 2026. Further projects currently in design development under the RRDF Regeneration Project include proposed public realm works at Market Square.