€7 Million Secured for urban regeneration and local heritage project in Louth

Fianna Fáil Senator for Louth and East Meath, Alison Comyn, has welcomed the  news that €7 million in funding has been secured for Drogheda’s Westgate House urban regeneration project under the THRIVE (Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme).

“This is a hugely proud moment for me and for Drogheda,” Senator Comyn said. 

“From the outset of my campaign I promised to fight for meaningful regeneration funding, and I have kept the pressure on to deliver it. 

“Our local councillors, especially Cllrs Pio Smith and James Byrne, have worked so hard on this and I am delighted that Ministers James Browne, Christopher O’Sullivan and John Cummins have recognised Drogheda’s potential and put his faith in our town by backing this ambitious project.”

The €7 million funding comes through Strand 2 of the THRIVE programme, targeting the renovation and adaptive reuse of vacant or derelict heritage buildings in public ownership. 

The project will create a multi-cultural and community hub with theatre and performance space and a rooftop public garden in the historic Westgate House and former Drogheda Youth Development building.

“I’m delighted that Drogheda is one of 26 town centres across the country set to benefit from the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme (THRIVE) , awarded under Ireland’s two European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Regional Programmes,” said Senator Comyn.

“This €7 million is not the end goal, but the foundation for even greater renewal,” she said. 

“I will continue working to secure more investment and ensure that Drogheda finally gets the recognition and opportunities it deserves, including the RDF funding for the Westgate Vision. Today, though, we celebrate a big step forward for our town’s future.”

Midlands North-West MEP Nina Carberry has also welcomed the awarding of funding, saying:

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“This investment will allow local authorities to reimagine and adapt heritage buildings, preserving their history and cultural significance while creating vibrant urban spaces for communities.

“It’s fantastic to see European funds going to worthy projects across the Midlands North-West, including Louth.

Looking ahead, Carberry said securing future ERDF support is a key priority:

“The next step at European level is to protect and expand funding in the next long-term EU budget. I will be fighting in Brussels to ensure strong, ring-fenced funding for cohesion and rural development policy.”