Town Centre First is helping to breathe new life into Irish towns

Launched in 2022, the Town Centre First initiative has already supported more than 100 regeneration projects in the first 26 pathfinder towns. It encourages communities and local authorities to work together to identify each town’s priorities and develop practical plans for the future.

At the heart of every Town Centre First plan is the Town Team. Made up of local people representing businesses, community groups and other local interests, the Town Team works closely with the local authority to help shape the town's future. Together they develop a vision for the town and help guide regeneration projects from planning through to delivery. 

For Mairead Hunt, National Programme Co-ordinator for Town Centre First, the community-led approach is what sets the initiative apart. “Town Centre First gives people the opportunity to shape a shared vision for their town, so projects reflect local priorities and have strong community support,” she says. “That creates action-focused plans that are practical, achievable and ready to attract investment.”

Town Centre First in Urlingford

Urlingford in Co Kilkenny is a town that has long been defined by its location. Halfway between Cork and Dublin, it’s been an important stopping point for travellers for generations. In the 19th century, Bianconi coaches used to pass through the town. Later passing trade from motorists supported businesses on the town’s main street. 

When the nearby M8 motorway bypassed Urlingford some years ago, business in the town experienced a downturn. Footfall declined and parts of the town began to struggle. Then in 2021, Urlingford was selected as a pathfinder town under the Town Centre First initiative.This gave the town an opportunity to address its challenges and identify priorities for a more vibrant future.

To lead the work at the local level, Urlingford’s Town Team was formed. It includes representatives from local business, sport and the wider community, and it works closely with Kilkenny County Council.

An early step was to carry out a “health check”, which is a report that assesses what has been working well in the town and where improvements could be made. Listening to the needs of local people was a key part of the process.

“There was a strong response from the community,” says Dympna Hayes, Chair of the Town Team. “People wanted to see investment in the town centre, recreation, biodiversity and community facilities. There was also a very strong sense that the Community Centre should be brought back into use.”

Following consultation with the community, a masterplan for Urlingford was adopted by Kilkenny County Council in 2023. It provides a long-term framework for regeneration and future investment in the town.

The Town Team has continued to represent the needs of the wider community as projects have developed.

Bringing vacant buildings back into use

One of the first major projects to emerge from the process in Urlingford was Exit4, a new remote working hub in the town centre. The building was previously an old bank branch that had been closed for some time. Kilkenny County Council acquired the building in 2022, and with the Town Team’s guidance it was developed as a modern remote working and enterprise space.

The name “Exit4” refers to the nearby motorway exit, highlighting the town’s accessibility and location between larger urban centres. Inside, many original features of the bank building have been retained, including the old banking hall, beautiful tiled floors and the bank vault. Rooms on both floors of the building have been converted into bright, modern office space.

The hub provides hot desks, meeting rooms and training spaces, making it ideal for people who work remotely and need excellent facilities. 

The building is also home to one of four regional hubs established by South East Technological University to support business growth and entrepreneurship. Through this partnership, local businesses and entrepreneurs can access mentoring, networking events and business supports.

Restoring a shared community space

A second major project focused on the town’s Community Centre. This is in a building that had a long history within Urlingford, in a complex that dates back to the 18th century. Over time, the building served different purposes, including as a parish school and later a dancehall during the 1950s and 1960s, but in recent years it had fallen into disrepair.

The redevelopment project involved significant work, including replacing an asbestos roof and addressing wider structural issues. Funding was secured through schemes such as the Community Centre Investment Fund and Town and Village Renewal funding. The refurbished centre now offers an enticing space for community events and activities, along with a commercial kitchen and multi-purpose rooms. Sustainability measures such as heat pumps and solar panels also formed part of the redevelopment.

The project is set to have a long-term impact on the town. “I think the Community Centre is going to be a gamechanger for Urlingford,” Dympna Hayes says. “It gives people a place to come together. It creates opportunities for activities, events and community life.”

Enhancing public spaces in Roscommon Town

Meanwhile, Roscommon Town shows how Town Centre First can enhance a town's vitality through thoughtful public realm improvements.

A major project to improve the town's streets and public spaces has transformed the centre of the town, bringing wider footpaths, improved streets and upgraded laneways that link nearby car parks with the town square. The improvements were shaped through extensive consultation with residents, businesses and community groups. While recognising the importance of convenient parking in a rural town, the project also set out to make it easier and more enjoyable for people to explore the town on foot.

The upgraded laneways include improved paving, lighting and public artwork, creating attractive walking routes between parking areas and the town centre. The changes encourage people to leave the car once, browse local shops and spend more time in the town.

Helen McGinty, Chair of the Roscommon Town Team, says creating a welcoming public space has made a real difference to community life. "We never had a space at the centre of the town to showcase what our community could do,” she says. “Now we have a place where people can come together.”

The new public space now provides a focal point for community events throughout the year, including Christmas celebrations, Pride, the Global Rossies festival and Halloween activities. Together, they help bring people into Roscommon Town, support local businesses and create new opportunities to meet and socialise.

Find out more

If you are interested in your town getting involved in the Town Centre First process, you can contact your local authority’s Town Regeneration Officer to find out about public consultations, Town Teams and opportunities to get involved. You can also visit the Town Centre First website to learn more about the initiative, and how communities can help shape the future of their town.