Over €1 million in funding has been announced this morning for the historic Market House located in the square in Portarlington.
The landmark building was taken on a long-term lease by Laois County Council last year and €1,094,880 in funding has been announced by Minister Heather Humphreys today as part of ‘Our Rural Future’ programme.
It is one of 24 rural regeneration projects nationwide benefitting from the €75 million scheme.
“This project is for the refurbishment and immediate reuse of the Market House located in the centre of Portarlington,” says the statement from the Department of Rural and Community Development.
“The Market House will be reimagined as the central focus of the town with a range of public and community uses including community meeting space and an event and exhibition space.
“The project will regenerate a key focal point within the town, acting as a launching point for further regeneration and redevelopment in the town centre.”
The cost of the project is listed at €1,216,533.
The announcement has been warmly welcomed by PJ Kelly, who will be officially co-opted as a member of Laois County Council next week to the Portarlington-Graiguecullen Municipal District for Fine Gael.
“Tom Mulhall, who I’m proud to be replacing as a councillor, has been pushing this for a long time and I look forward to continuing his great work on this project from now on,” he said.
“I know Tom had been working very hard on this among other things alongside Minister Martin Heydon and it is a significant development for this funding to come through for what is a very important project in the heart of Portarlington.”
“Delighted to announce over €1.2m in funding to refurbish the Market House in Portarlington,” added Portarlington-based Independent TD Cathal Berry.
“This will have a transformative effect on the town centre. Great news to start a Monday morning!!”
Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has also welcomed the announcement.
“This is great news for Portarlington which will help revitalise the town centre. I welcome the news and am excited about new opportunities for Portarlington.”
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund was established in 2018 and is being rolled out over a 10-year period.
The Fund provides investment to support suitable projects in towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas, which will deliver on the National Strategic Objective of Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities and achieve sustainable economic and social development in these areas.
