'Pivotal moment for Longford' as €7 million investment will create dynamic cultural hub

€7 million in funding has been secured by Longford County Council for the redevelopment of Connolly Barracks into a vibrant community and cultural facility that will serve as the beating heart of Longford town.

The substantial investment, which has been hailed as 'a pivotal moment for Longford', comes from the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme (THRIVE Strand 2), a €90 million EU-backed fund designed to revitalise heritage buildings throughout Irish town centres for community use. 

The funding enables the local authority to immediately proceed to tender for the project, building on last year's THRIVE allocation of €200,000 that allowed completion of essential design works.

The ambitious transformation will see the vacant barracks – empty since the Army's departure in 2009 – house a county museum, community café, creative makerspace, podcast and recording studio, meeting rooms, and music facilities.

A rear extension will provide a flexible conference and performance space alongside training facilities.

The project incorporates accessibility improvements, sustainability features including solar panels and rainwater harvesting, plus enhanced public spaces.

Also read: Ready to THRIVE: €7m to transform Longford's Connolly Barracks into vibrant community hub

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Garry Murtagh welcomed the announcement saying, "Connolly Barracks has stood silent for too long. This funding transforms a symbol of the past into a beacon for our future – a space where history meets innovation, where tradition embraces change. It will allow the northern end of Longford Town to once again buzz with activity, drawing people back to the heart of our town and creating opportunities for everyone who calls Longford home."

Chief Executive of Longford County Council Paddy Mahon said, "This €7 million investment marks a pivotal moment for Longford. It allows us to drive forward detailed plans that will finally deliver the county museum our people have long sought, whilst creating a dynamic space where our diverse communities can connect, create, and celebrate together. This project will catalyse economic activity in an underused part of our town whilst preserving our architectural heritage for future generations."

Director of Services John Brannigan, who spearheaded the successful application, welcomed the announcement saying, "The investment of €7 million through THRIVE funding for the Connolly Barracks regeneration represents a flagship model of sustainable, inclusive, and heritage-sensitive urban transformation. It exemplifies the spirit of the New European Bauhaus, bringing beauty, resilience, and social cohesion into the heart of Longford. This project will revitalise our town, empower our people, and celebrate our rich cultural heritage whilst creating shared spaces for our diverse communities to thrive together."

The restoration will employ best conservation practices whilst responding to Longford's population growth and multicultural character. The project promises to generate employment, tourism, and business opportunities whilst creating a shared space that bridges communities and generations.

THRIVE operates under Ireland's two European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programmes, providing funding to help local authorities reimagine town centres through renovation and adaptive reuse of publicly owned heritage buildings. The scheme incorporates core New European Bauhaus values of sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion, promoting citizen-centred, community-led approaches to urban regeneration.

Also read: Cultural space: New café, museum and learning hub set for Longford's Connolly Barracks

The project has received full support from elected members and is particularly welcomed by Longford Municipal District representatives.

Work is expected to commence following the tender process, with the transformed barracks set to become a cornerstone of Longford's cultural and community landscape.