Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys today announced €75 million in funding for 24 regeneration projects, provided under the €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.

The courthouses due to be redeveloped include Bailieborough Courthouse in Co Cavan, which was built in 1817; Portumna Courthouse in Co Galway, which was built in 1847; and Newbliss Courthouse in Co Monaghan, which was built around 1820.

Around €1.4 million will be spent on transforming the derelict Bailieborough Courthouse into an economic, community and cultural hub that will include a visitor centre, museum, cultural and exhibition spaces. The visitor centre will be the first Plantation Museum in Ireland, telling the story of Bailieborough and the surrounding area.

Just under €2.6 million will be spent on transforming Portumna Courthouse and its courtyard into an arts venue, a remote working space or entrepreneurs and a new meeting and social space for the community.

Nearly €1.4 million will be spent on the full regeneration and redevelopment of Newbliss Courthouse as an “enterprise and digital hub”, acting as a key driver for economic recovery, creating and supporting jobs, increasing footfall and activity, addressing dereliction in the village and providing the facilities and the environment for business to thrive and grow.

Ms Humphreys said: “Just three weeks ago, the Government launched Our Rural Future, the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in decades.

“Today we are putting that policy firmly into action and delivering major investment aimed at town centre regeneration and supporting remote working.

“These projects will breathe new life into towns and villages across the country making them attractive and vibrant places for people to live, work, socialise and raise a family.”