Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has secured €17.1 million for six regeneration projects that will reshape public spaces, improve sustainable transport and expand community facilities across the county. The investment is one of the latest developments in Dublin news and is expected to deliver long-term benefits for residents, visitors and local businesses.
Six projects set to transform the county
The funding comes from the new Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund, which replaces the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. The programme supports urban renewal, sustainable communities and better-connected towns and neighbourhoods.
- Blackrock Bath Place: A €150,000 allocation will support design work for a new public plaza, improved links to Blackrock Park and Idrone Terrace, upgraded car parks and a mobility hub near Blackrock DART station.
- Metals Green, Dún Laoghaire: The €1.8 million project will create an accessible urban park with new paths, an open lawn, community activity space, play facilities and provision for a small coffee or food kiosk.
- Dundrum Living Streets: Supported by €7.4 million, the scheme will make cycling and walking safer through permanent segregation, improved streetscapes and safety measures near Holy Cross School.
- Sandyford Urban Framework Plan Review: A €150,000 grant will fund specialist studies for a wider plan covering land use, transport, housing, employment and public amenities.
- Imaginosity refurbishment: The largest allocation, at €7.5 million, will support the acquisition and conversion of the vacant building at Beacon South Quarter into a permanent community and library facility.
- Shanganagh Castle Development: A €150,000 grant will help prepare an integrated urban strategy and conservation framework for the protected structure and its surrounding lands.
Why the investment matters for Dublin
The projects combine physical improvements with long-term planning. New parks, accessible routes and community facilities are intended to strengthen daily life, while strategic work in Sandyford and Shanganagh will guide future development.
The Sandyford plans are particularly significant for Dublin business, as the review aims to support a well-connected employment district while coordinating infrastructure, housing and public amenities. Meanwhile, Dundrum’s street upgrades are designed to encourage active travel and improve access for pedestrians, cyclists and schoolchildren.
Funding categories explained
The council confirmed that the projects fall into two funding categories:
- Category 1A: Longer-term schemes expected to be delivered in later years of the National Development Plan.
- Category 1B: Projects intended to progress quickly and reach construction stage by September 2027.
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Planning for sustainable communities
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown’s Cathaoirleach, Councillor Barry Saul, said the projects would help make the county a better place to live, work and visit. Chief Executive Frank Curran also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The overall programme reflects a broader emphasis on accessible public realm design, heritage-led regeneration, greener transport and energy-efficient community buildings. For people considering Ireland residency or planning to work in Ireland, investment of this kind also signals how urban authorities are preparing established communities for future growth.
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The takeaway
This €17.1 million package gives Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown a significant platform for regeneration. From Blackrock and Dundrum to Sandyford, Shankill and Dún Laoghaire, the projects pair immediate public-realm improvements with long-term planning. The result could be safer streets, stronger community services and more sustainable growth across the county—an important development in Dublin news.
