Five publicly-owned derelict heritage buildings around the country are to be restored and revitalised under a €32 million funding scheme.
The aim is to bring vacant heritage buildings back into public use to revitalise urban centres.
The chosen projects in Navan, Gorey, Mallow, Waterford and Galway will be transformed into things like theatres, cultural and community hubs, arts centres and children's visitor attractions.
St Finian's Seminary Study Hall in Navan, Co Meath, was one of four projects to receive €7 million.
The derelict building in the town is a protected structure and is said to be a rare example of an oval-shaped building.
It will be converted into a new community hub and county archive.
The project will also see the public space around the building restored, with the creation of a natural amphitheatre and outdoor performance spaces.
It is envisaged that the hub will be used for community workshops, meetings, classes and exhibition space. The County Archive will be a home for historical records, photographic and other historical collections.
Chief Executive of Meath County Council Kieran Kehoe said the project was "transformative" and will "greatly enhance the town's social, cultural, economic, heritage and environmental assets, making it an even better place to live, work and visit".
The funding has been awarded under a scheme called "Thrive", the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme under Ireland's two European Regional Development Fund programmes.
The Projects in Navan, Co Meath, Gorey; Co Wexford; Mallow, Co Cork and Waterford city will each receive €7 million, while Galway city is in line for €3.8 million.
Gorey's oldest building, the Market House, will be converted into a community and cultural hub, including a new cafe and a new plaza for markets, concerts and events.
It will also create a new gated entrance to the graveyard beyond the site which will provide access to a designated heritage trail.
18 Lady Lane, an 18th century townhouse in Waterford city will also be regenerated under the scheme.
It will be converted into a lifesize dolls house, providing a children's visitor attraction called Tir na nÓg - to celebrate "children's past, present and future".
Mallow's Town Hall in Cork will be converted into a 200-seat theatre and mutli-use arts centre.
In Galway, two historic buildings will benefit from funding.
The existing Nun's Island Theatre in Galway, which is a former Presbyterian Church dating back to 1835, will be renovated.
It will be linked to a refurbished Church House at the rear, which originally served as a home for the church's various Ministers.
The project will create a multi-purpose creative hub called CreativeSpace.
Minister of State for Local Government and Planning at the Department of Housing Alan Dillon said the projects will "breathe new life into town centres".
Also speaking following the announcement, Minister of State for Heritage Malcom Noonan said the funding supports local authorities to preserve and protect "valuable historic buildings", while also "ensuring their long term sustainable re-use as key cultural and heritage assets".
The Housing Minister said that this funding will make a massive difference.
"The THRIVE fund is empowering communities to shape the future of their urban centres by identifying opportunities which will help ensure their long-term vitality. I very much look forward to seeing the substantial regeneration which will arise out of this funding and which will strengthen the economic, social, and cultural vibrancy of towns throughout Ireland."
