Four properties in Balbriggan were chose to feature in this year’s Irish Architecture Foundation’s Open House Dublin in October. Balbriggan was at the centre of the festival, with four architecturally acclaimed venues in the locality among those throwing open their doors to the public. Among them was The Lark, the country’s newest, most innovative, entertainment venue.
The Lark is this year’s winner of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland Public Choice Award - voted the public’s favourite building.
The other featured venues in Balbriggan were Ardgillan Castle; High Street Balbriggan and Open Studios.
Meanwhile, UCD architecture students recently visited Balbriggan to view the progress and plans of the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme.
The transformational project is aimed at creating a high-quality public amenity and premier visitor destination to revitalise Ireland’s youngest town.
The €50million 2019-2030 Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme aims to create a more attractive, connected place where people want to live, work, visit and do business.
Key milestones have been reached as work continues at pace on the transformational €15million Balbriggan Quay Street and Harbour project.
The students also learned of works planned for the former RNLI Boathouse, the transformation of 6a-14 Bridge Street and a creative hub at 2-4 Dublin Street.
The ambitious vision contained in the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme was the result of an historic community engagement in 2019 which saw more than 25% of residents outline their preferences for the future of the town Dr David Begg, chair of the Our Balbriggan Leadership Group, said the visit was tangible evidence of the positive impacts of the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme.
“Its purpose was to bring to life the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme,” he said.
“There was both a visual learning experience with follow up presentations on how the ambitious socio-economic and architectural rejuvenation of Balbriggan has been shaped by the community and brought to life by Fingal County Council.”
