Historic buildings in County Limerick set for revival with €1.2m regeneration boost

TWO major rural regeneration projects in County Limerick are set to benefit from a combined investment of more than €1.2 million.

The funding will support the redevelopment of the Merchant’s House site in Kilmallock and the former Bank of Ireland building in Rathkeale, as part of a €20 million nationwide package for 29 landmark regeneration projects

Limerick TD and Minister of State Niall Collins welcomed the announcement today by his party colleague, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary.

The funding, under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF), is being invested in projects that will rejuvenate town centres, drive economic growth and town footfall, combat dereliction and vacancy, develop pedestrian zones and outdoor spaces and boost tourism in rural Ireland.

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Welcoming the funding for the projects in Kilmallock and Rathkeale, Minister Collins said:

"Fantastic news today that the Merchant House Site in Kilmallock and the former Bank Of Ireland Building in Rathkeale have received significant funding through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund."

"Both of these projects are hugely important for our heritage and history in rural Limerick and the funding announced today will be a significant boost to attracting more vibrancy and tourism to both Rathkeale and Kilmallock," continued Minister Collins.

"I will continue to support and advocate for funding targeted at projects to make rural Ireland prosper and our towns and villages better places to live and work in."

Announcing the funding for the 29 projects, Minister Calleary said:

“I am delighted to announce the successful projects selected from applications received in response to the latest ‘Call for Proposals’ under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. This €1bn Fund was established under Project Ireland 2040 to deliver the targeted investment necessary to ensure that rural Ireland continues to grow and prosper and deliver on balanced regional growth that is in everyone’s interests."

The Minister added: “In 2025, we continue to roll-out unprecedented levels of investment in rural Ireland – making our towns and villages better places to live, work, raise a family and run a business. Today’s announcement confirms our strong commitment to supporting our rural communities both economically and socially."

"The projects being invested in today represent the huge ambition that underpins ‘Our Rural Future’ and will have a truly transformational impact right across the country. When complete, these projects will leave a lasting difference on these locations for generations to come, benefitting tens of thousands of families in Rural Ireland."

“We have had a phenomenal level of interest, with applications of an excellent standard, and I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all those who were successful."

Minister Calleary concluded: “For those who have been unsuccessful, my department will provide feedback to enable them to prepare for the next call."

The successful projects announced today are for RRDF Category 2 Projects.  ‘Category 2’ RRDF projects are intended to provide funding to allow Project Leads undertake and complete the initial planning, design and technical works required for any large-scale project. This sees potential, large scale RRDF projects developed to a stage allowing for greater certainty regarding scope, cost and delivery timelines to apply for further funding under a ‘Category 1’ RRDF application.