Large turnout at Leitrim County Council’s ‘Turning Vacant Properties into Cosy Homes’ event
Leitrim County Council hosted an Information Event to showcase the potential to transform vacant and derelict properties in County Leitrim into vibrant homes. The event took place on Thursday, 19th June 2025 from 3pm to 8pm in the Landmark Hotel,Carrick-On-Shannon, Co. Leitrim and was very well attended. Almost 300 people attended the event and 30 exhibitors from the financial, building and construction, home improvement and auctioneering sectors showcased their wares and services. The event was opened by the Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council Cllr. Paddy O’Rourke. The Keynote speaker on the day was Award Winning Architect Hugh Wallace, who spoke about the benefits of refurbishing the existing housing stock in the country and the benefits that it brings in restoring vibrancy to towns and villages.
Other speakers on the day included: Anne Marie O’Connor from the Vacant Homes Unit of The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Shane Mulvey, Vacant Homes Officer Leitrim County Council, Mel Galvin, R&D Co-ordinator, Sligo ATU and Chief Executive of Leitrim Council, Joseph Gilhooly. Colin Regan performed the role of MC and chaired informative panel discussions with the speakers and previous grant applicants namely; Ciara Reynolds and John & Amanda O'Connell, who shared their experience of renovating an older property and applying for and availing of the Croí Cónaithe grant.
Leitrim County Council would like to take this opportunity to thank all involved in the organising of this event and especially all those who spoke, exhibited and attended. We hope the event has helped raise awareness of the invaluable support the Croí Cónaithe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant can provide.
Videos, discussion and presentations from the event will be published on our social media channels in the coming days.
For more information about ‘Turning Vacant Properties into Cosy Homes’’ contact us at vacanthomes@leitrimcoco.ie.