At Castletown Cottage when the project was first unveiled were: Frank Smith, Stephen Reilly, Richie Gray, Alan Reilly with Cllr Eugene Cassidy and Charlotte and Laylagh Gray

€250k funding boost for Castletown visitor centre

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At Castletown Cottage when the project was first unveiled were: Frank Smith, Stephen Reilly, Richie Gray, Alan Reilly with Cllr Eugene Cassidy and Charlotte and Laylagh Gray

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An artist’s impression of the new coffee shop in Castletown.

Noelle Finegan

Published: Tue 7 May 2024, 4:52 PM

Plans by Castletown Tidy Towns to transform a derelict cottage into a coffee shop have been given a major funding boost with €250,000 announced towards the project under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

The cottage, which is located just off the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway, will be refurbished with an extension added to create a coffee shop and visitor centre, as well as parking. The idea is that the house will be a replica 1930s cottage with traditional furniture and styling.

While planning permission was granted by Meath Co Council in March 2022, an appeal against this decision was lodged with An Bord Pleanala which stalled the project while the appeal was considered. ABP gave the go ahead for the development last May paving the way for funding applications to be made.

The €250,000 together with 20 per cent match funding from Meath Co Council should be enough to complete the coffee shop and car park. Planning permission is also in place for a Men's Shed building which will form the second phase of the development.

Welcoming the outcome of the appeal, local Cllr Eugene Cassidy said: "It has been a long wait but definitely worth waiting for. We have finally got full planning permission for coffee shop/men's shed after 13 months. Planning was granted in March 2022 by Meath Co Council but an appeal to ABP against that decision in April 2022 meant that this planning sat in limbo from then up to now.

"We are looking forward to moving ahead with this fantastic project which will have a very positive effect on the village of Castletown. It's location, just 70m from the greenway, means it is in prime location to avail of all the cyclists and walkers that will be passing or those just out on the Castletown loop trail," said Cllr Eugene Cassidy.

He explained that the coffee shop could also be used as a small community or meeting space when the coffee shop is closed.

The next stage is to get the tender documents drawn up and get the project out to tender in the coming months.

The coffee shop is just off the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway which will be officially opened by Minister Heather Humphreys on Sunday, 12th May.