PLANS to transform the old Killaloe Courthouse into a cultural and musical venue have taken a significant step forward after Clare County Council (CCC) applied for funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).
Following the completion of a feasibility study, CCC is seeking to undertake a design of the repurposed building, which has been an important part of Killaloe’s civic and societal history for almost two centuries.
Built by The Courts Service in 1837 and listed as a building of national importance in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, Killaloe Courthouse remained in operation as a District Court until 1994, after which it was left derelict.
The Courthouse was acquired by CCC in the early 2000s and identified as an opportunity site in the Killaloe-Ballina Town Enhancement and Mobility Strategy in 2021.
Funded under the government’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS), the recently completed feasibility study by Drake Hourigan Architects involved consultation and input from the Killaloe Municipal District and the local community.
The success of similar repurposing projects across the Mid West, including Tulla Courthouse and the Nenagh Arts Centre, was a key focus of the study.
Cllr Pat Hayes noted how the public’s input helped steer the direction of the project, which he said “will keep Killaloe Courthouse alive through performance, arts, culture, and most importantly diverse community usage.”
“The overall feedback from stakeholders was overwhelmingly positive with consensus achieved on potential use of the vacant courthouse for arts, culture and community use.”
