12/01/2026
Arklow Deserves a Community Centre – Right in the Heart of Our Town
Through previous discussions with Wicklow County Council, one of the key issues raised in relation to the former Eir building was that it did not meet the needs of a central, town-centre location & that is something I both understand & appreciate.
This newly available site on Main Street (57/58) presents a very different opportunity.
Located in the heart of Arklow, directly across from one of our main civic hubs , the library & backing onto the Municipal District offices & public car park, this site is ideally positioned to serve the entire town.
It offers Wicklow County Council a real chance to lead from the front by acquiring & regenerating this site as a community-focused development, with a designated community centre at its core.
A centrally located community centre would:
- Ensure constant footfall on Main Street
• Support local businesses & services
• Serve people of all ages & abilities
• Act as a daily, living part of town life , not a stand-alone facility.
This kind of investment would bring energy, activity & purpose back into the town centre, helping to drive further regeneration & confidence along the Main Street.
Times are changing. Traditional retail is under pressure from online shopping & larger retailers. If we want our town centres to thrive, we must adapt how we use space , supporting people, business, community, services, culture & connection.
This site represents a rare opportunity to do exactly that.
I believe Wicklow County Council purchasing this site would be a positive, future-focused decision , one that benefits not just today’s residents, but generations to come.
It also avoids a growing problem we see too often on Main Street , sites being bought, left idle & deteriorating, with nothing happening for years. That helps no one , not residents, not businesses & not regeneration.
Let’s put community at the heart of Arklow.
