Construction on Abbeylands project to start early 2026
Demolition works are well advanced behind the Townhall Arts Centre in Cavan. The former McIntyre’s furniture store and bowling alley building has been razed to the ground to make way for the Abbeylands redevelopment that local politicians and officials have called “truly transformative”.
The on-site enabling works will be concluded shortly, Cavan County Council told the Celt last week. This initial stage of construction included demolition, stabilisation of existing historic structures, site investigation and other works at the site. The ground will be soon prepared for the start of the first phase of the much anticipated project.
Director of Service, Brendan Jennings confirms: "With the main construction work due to commence early next year, we are entering a truly transformative phase in the life of Cavan Town.”
The Abbeylands Masterplan was completed following extensive community, landowner, and business consultation and identified a series of high value interventions, supported by key partners, devised to stimulate social, cultural, economic and amenity regeneration in the heartland of Cavan Town.
“The Abbeylands Regeneration is an ambitious and hugely significant project and it will have a major reinvigorating effect, bringing new life to this historic town quarter that has been underutilised and neglected in the recent past,” says Mr Jennings.
The Abbey Tower dates to roughly 1460 and is the only standing remnant of the medieval Franciscan church - most likely the oldest building in town. It is therefore of archaeological and historical interest. Embracing its significance by establishing a new central gathering point for the community at the bell tower will not only highlight the cultural value, it will also shine a new light on prominent figures like Eoghan Rua Ó Néill.
Phase one will see the construction of two new three-storey office buildings, a shared community services building (939m2), a business development hub with community function at ground floor (1,483m2), restoration of other existing structures on the site such as the coach house, which will be transferred into a café, the creation of a new multi-functional civic space with pedestrian links to surrounding streets, and other associated works.
Mr Jennings says they will be “creating space for innovation and enterprise to flourish, while opening out and enhancing the public realm to provide a welcoming and attractive destination for visitors and locals alike".
Local TD Brendan Smith praises the soon-to-be implemented regeneration plans, emphasising how this will contribute to the already “fantastic amenities” of Cavan Town, which is seeing an upgrade of Con Smith Park with additions to the playground, a new basketball court, coffee pod and performance area in the works. The TD believes the Abbeylands development will add to the active local business community who have withstood challenging times and have grown into a “strong, viable local economy”.
As a national monument site of regional importance, all works carried out within the site are under Ministerial consent and National Monument Service licence and oversight. The works include archaeology, conservation of protected structures and protection of historical significance on the site.
The detailed design for the first phase is ongoing and expected to progress to the second stage and tender process shortly. The Council anticipates award of main contract and main construction works to commence in early 2026, subject to final Departmental approval, as is standard procedure in all projects of this nature.