Fourteen local authorities have been allocated €90m to transform fourteen landmark heritage buildings into community and tourism spaces.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne announced the funding to local authorities through the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme (THRIVE).
The successful projects include; the former Bank of Ireland in Carlow, the Cloister in Ennis, Butter Exchange and Weighmasters House in Shandon, Co Cork, Ashe Memorial Hall in Tralee, Carnegie Library in Kilkenny, George's Place and Washhouse in Dún Laoghaire, The Fireplace Site in Limerick, Connolly Barracks in Longford, Westgate House in Drogheda, St Louis’ Convent Chapel in Monaghan, Tuam Station House, Rathfarnham Castle, the old Letterkenny Courthouse and Sligo Gaol.
The former Letterkenny Courthouse will be adapted into a multi-use space for arts, education, leisure and tourism while Sligo Gaol will be redeveloped as a regional community and cultural tourism destination.
In a statement, Friends of Sligo Gaol, said the €7m investment paves the way for a careful restoration and redevelopment of the historic building that served as the county prison from the early 19th century until the mid-20th century.
The prison held many political prisoners in the early 20th century including Michael Davitt, Charles Stuart Parnell, and Michael Collins.
Sligo Gaol was built based on a design by the 18th century English social reformer Jeremy Bentham.
It is recognised as one of the best surviving Irish examples of a panopticon prison where all cell blocks could be observed from a central position.
The project will see the refurbishment of the Governor’s House, the three-storey asylum building, the connecting two-storey cell blocks and the historic link corridor.
Plans also include the construction of a new reception building with an ancillary coffee kiosk and enhanced public landscaping.
Friends of Sligo Gaol said it was "a proud day for Sligo" as many people had worked tirelessly to keep the story of the Gaol alive and to secure a future for the site.
Minister Browne said the funding allocation through THRIVE was about bringing heritage buildings into the 21st century.
The scheme co-funded by the Government and the European Union aims to help local authorities restore and transform heritage buildings into cultural and community hubs.
