Westmeath County Council is pleased to highlight the opportunities now available to property owners, investors, businesses and residents following the formal designation of Athlone as a Living City Initiative (LCI) Special Regeneration Area on 17 April 2026. This significant milestone provides a powerful incentive to bring vacant, underused and derelict buildings back into productive use, supporting the continued regeneration and revitalisation of Athlone town centre.
The Living City Initiative is a government-supported tax incentive scheme designed to encourage investment in historic urban areas through the refurbishment, conversion and reuse of existing residential and commercial properties. The scheme aims to reduce vacancy and dereliction, increase housing supply, promote sustainable urban living and support the economic and social renewal of town centres.
Athlone is one of five additional towns designated under the initiative in April 2026, joining Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford. Property owners within Athlone's designated Special Regeneration Area can now avail of a range of tax reliefs for eligible refurbishment and conversion works, subject to meeting the scheme criteria.
The initiative presents a major opportunity to regenerate underutilised buildings, create new homes, support “living over the shop” developments and stimulate economic activity in the heart of Athlone. By encouraging the reuse of existing building stock, the scheme also contributes to climate action objectives through sustainable redevelopment and reduced pressure for greenfield development.
Property owners undertaking eligible works may qualify for tax reliefs relating to owner-occupied residential properties, rented residential properties, commercial and retail buildings, and 'Living Over the Shop' conversions. The scheme is intended to help unlock the potential of existing buildings and support the creation of thriving, lived-in town centres.
Westmeath County Council has published detailed information, application forms, and maps of the Athlone Special Regeneration Area on its website. Interested property owners are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and contact the Council for further information.
For further information on the Living City Initiative in Athlone, visit our website at
https://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/vacancyanddereliction/livingcityinitiative/
or
email: livingcity@westmeathcoco.ie
Content Last Updated/Reviewed: 08/07/2026
