New building and land acquisition measure to benefit the region

Counties like Cavan and Monaghan stand to gain significantly from a newly announced round of funding aimed at breathing life back into vacant and derelict properties across rural Ireland. The latest call under the Building and Land Acquisition Measure offers local authorities a powerful tool to tackle vacancy head-on, while creating much-needed community spaces.

Announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary, the initiative is part of the wider Town and Village Renewal Scheme. A total of €13M is being made available, with councils eligible to apply for up to €500,000 to acquire as many as three properties or sites for redevelopment into multi-purpose community facilities.

“The Building and Land Acquisition Measure supports local communities in their work to regenerate rural towns and villages and to enhance the vibrancy of rural places,” the Minister said.

For Cavan, the benefits of the measure are already clear. Earlier this year, the local authority successfully secured funding to purchase the long-vacant Stuart’s Shop in Killeshandra, with plans to transform it into a community and cultural hub.

The project highlights how strategic acquisition can unlock new opportunities in smaller towns, turning underused buildings into vibrant focal points for local life. In Killeshandra, it will support the return of Irish language and dance classes. Produce grown in the gardens will be sold in the farmers’ market and the outbuildings will be repurposed for use by the local shed’s and tidy towns group.

Monaghan as well has built a strong reputation under the broader Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Significant investments in Carrickmacross and Castleblayney have supported improvements, community infrastructure and long-term regeneration planning. These successes suggest the county is well placed to take advantage of the acquisition measure as it expands.

The 2026 funding call follows on from last year’s scheme, which supported the purchase of 24 properties nationwide, including former schools, cultural venues and town-centre sites. These projects are now being redeveloped into assets that will serve communities for years to come.

Minister Calleary said the initiative is about ensuring rural towns and villages remain attractive places to live, work and raise families. Minister of State Jerry Buttimer added that the funding provides a real opportunity to transform vacant buildings into spaces where communities can connect and grow.

With applications now open, local authorities are being encouraged to work closely with communities to identify suitable properties.