Vision

To regenerate the heart of Kinnegad Town, restoring its vitality and vibrancy by delivering social infrastructure, as outlined below, thus creating a sustainable and viable Town Centre that will encourage and support the local economy.

Update on Kinnegad Co-Working Hub and Enterprise Centre at the site of the former Master’s House, (a Protected Structure ref. 027-008) Mullingar Road, Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath, N91 FX09.

Photo: Original Master's House

Part 8 Planning Permission was lodged for the development of a Co working Hub and Enterprise Centre on 26th of March 2024.

The works will involve: -

• Refurbishment of the original Master’s House Building (Protected Structure ref. 027-008 as per the Westmeath County Development Plan Record of Protected Structures 2021 – 2027) including partial demolition works to facilitate a new rear extension.
• Construction of a new single storey extension to the rear of the Master’s House (c284 m2) to be used as a reception, office space and meeting rooms.
• Site development works including improved pedestrian access and the upgrade of the existing ramp access with the provision of controlled vehicle access from the Mullingar Road.
• Hard and soft landscaping, including removal and replacement of the existing hedgerow along the western boundary.
• Provision of signage, lighting, bin storage, cycle stands and ancillary site works.

The overall development allows a sustainable new use for the Old Master’s House which has been vacant for many years .

The approach to proper environmental, sustainable and energy consideration of the refurbishment will result in a truly sustainable Economic Enterprise Hub.

The design of the new extension along with the Master’s House building within the setting of the school and library forms a unified whole linked to the public realm on the main street .

The Development will be put forward for Tender and Construction once a suitable funding stream is identified in the future.

Proposed 3D Site Model

Key Benefits

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund requires that the final project delivers a cohesive and integrated development that is designed to: -

1. Deliver a modern Open Library facility and Education and Training facility, including multi-functional spaces to serve the needs of community groups, will address the unsustainable deficient socio-economic facilities, required to serve the community and groups, displaced due to the closure of the original premises in 2017.
2. Deliver a bespoke Town Park with community facilities to meet the needs for the wider community, young and old.
3. Enhance the town environment through positive placemaking and public realm interventions to assist in the socio-economic development of the area.
4. Restore a sense of identity and civic pride to Kinnegad and regain the attractiveness of Kinnegad as place to visit, work, study and live.

Figure 1: Kinnegad Regeneration Programme

Together with the Community Library and Education and Training Facility, the overall programme comprises 3 distinct projects:

1. the refurbishment and extension of the old National School and Principals House on Main Street and the provision of a Community Library, Education and Training Centre at that site.
2. the provision of Community Facilities and a Town Park at the former Community Centre and surrounding lands on the Athlone Road.
3. the provision of enhanced Public Realm.

Current Status: Community Library & Education and Training Centre

A short promotional video clip of the proposals can be viewed by clicking on the link below.

Cooney Architects in a joint venture with Keys Monaghan Architects (CAKMJV) were appointed on the 31st of July 2020. This architect led design team will deliver the Community Library, Education Training Centre and Public Realm from Part 8 to construction.

Part 8 Planning Approval was approved at the December 2020 Council Meeting.

In April 2021 Westmeath County Council secured €7.6M in Rural Regeneration and Development Funding, with matched funds from Westmeath County Council a total budget of €8.5m is available to deliver the Kinnegad Regeneration Project. This project is funded under Project Ireland 2040.

The Regeneration Team in collaboration with the Longford Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) and local community groups with the aid of CAKMJV architects have now completed the detailed design of the Community Library, Education and Training Centre and Public Realm.

The Two-Phase Tender Process for the construction of the Community Library, Education and Training Centre and Public Realm is complete. Coolsivna Construction Ltd have been awarded the contract and commenced construction on the 27th March 2023. The construction programme is 15 months with an anticipated completion date in June 2024.

Front Row (left To Right): Frank Cooney, CAKMJV architects,  Liz Lavery, Chief Executive, Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board, Councillor Aengus O’Rourke, Cathaoirleach, Westmeath County Council, Pat Gallagher Chief Executive Westmeath County Council, David Ruane, Coolsivna Construction Ltd, Deirdre Reilly, Westmeath County Council.

Back Row (left To Right): David Jones, Westmeath County Council, Blathnaid Cox, Westmeath County Council, Neill Hanly, Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board, Mary Stuart, County Librarian, Westmeath County Council.

Current Status: Town Park and Community Facilities

An online Community Assessment Needs Survey to inform the deign process for the town park commenced on the 13th October 2021 and closed on the 29th October 2021.

This consultation process directly informed the concept designs for the Town Park and Westmeath County Council then invited members of the community to take part in an online public meeting regarding the proposed Town Park and Kinnegad Regeneration Project.

The online meeting was on Monday 14th November 2022. A presentation was made by the Regeneration Project Team where several proposed Town Park layouts were shown.

The two preferred layouts that emerged from the public meeting of 14 November 2022 were published on the Westmeath County Council Consultation Portal in late November 2022 and members of the public voted in favour of their preferred layout.

An application for “Part 8” planning approval was submitted in March 2023 based on the layout that received the largest vote in the November 2022 public consultation and Planning Approval was granted in May 2023.

As of December 2023, a Contractor has been appointed to demolish the former Community Hall Building and demolition is expected to commence in early 2024. 

The Regeneration Team can be contacted at

Regeneration Project Team,
Westmeath County Council,
Áras an Chontae,
Mullingar,
Co. Westmeath. N91 FH4N
Tel. 044-9332000
Email: regen@westmeathcoco.ie