‘It is great to see’: Courthouse in Leitrim set for €6 million transformation

From a silent library where generations of Ballinamore children discovered the world of books to a proposed new home for art, culture and community life, the town’s historic courthouse is set for a major new chapter

Published 18th Aug 2026, 12:55 BST Updated 18th Aug 2026, 17:55 BST Ballinamore Courthouse | Ballinamore Courthouse From a silent library where generations of Ballinamore children discovered the world of books to a proposed new home for art, culture and community life, the town’s historic courthouse is set for a major new chapter Sign up to our Leitrim Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Leitrim Live within your account.

Ballinamore town has received a major boost this summer, with the news that the redevelopment of the derelict courthouse building has been given the green light. The courthouse has been derelict since 2009, when the last court sitting took place.

The historic building, dating from around 1830, will now be refurbished as a new complex for cultural and community uses. Following a Part 8 Public Consultation process, a report was published outlining the project in detail. The project was rubber stamped by the councillors of the Municipal District last month at a special meeting.

An application for funding for the project has been submitted to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF). This fund is run by the Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD.

Leitrim County Council are expected to make a contribution to the cost of the redevelopment, but the majority of the cost is expected to be footed by the RRDF. When the redevelopment work is complete, Leitrim County Council will hand over the building to Ballinamore Development Group, who will run the complex.

Already earmarked for the complex is the Solas Art Gallery and a facility dedicated to John McGahern . The courthouse building is a protected structure and the new project will not materially affect the character of the building. The site for the project contains two buildings, the Courthouse building and the Genealogy building.

There will be some changes to the streetscape outside the buildings. “In the immediate vicinity of both the courthouse building and the Genealogy building, a mix of both hard and soft landscaping is proposed, including the provision of seating areas, a sculpture piece, raised planter area, grassed areas, tree planting, limestone paving, cobbles areas and lighting,” the council report stated.

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“The vision for the Ballinamore Courthouse Complex development is to create a vibrant, multi-functional cultural and community hub, contributing to the social, economic and cultural revitalisation of Ballinamore and its surrounding area,” the report states.

Possible uses of the complex will include “a gallery and events venue providing space for local and national artists, performances, talks, reading and cultural events,” according to the report. Other possible uses of the complex will include residency opportunities for writers and artists and community and educational spaces for local organisations, training providers and outreach services.

A facility dedicated to world renowned Leitrim writer John McGahern is also proposed. The estimated €6-7 million project will also result in “enhancements to the surrounding public realm, including improved streetscape, parking facilities, pedestrian access and landscaping,” the report adds.

The Courthouse project forms part of the County Development Plan 2023-2029, within the Town/Village Centre land use zoning objective, contained in the Development Plan. “The proposed re-use of the Ballinamore Courthouse building complex, which brings the buildings back into use for cultural and community uses, along with the proposed public realm works accords with the zoning,” the report stated. A Public Consultation Process took place over a four week period, up until June 23rd this year. No submissions were received from any third party.

Cllr Gary Prior (FF) welcomes the redevelopment of the courthouse and feels that it could “breathe new life into the town.”

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“€6 or 7 million is a substantial investment in a small town such as Ballinamore.There will also be work done on the streetscape outside the courthouse,” Cllr Prior added. The Aughnasheelin based representative is hopeful that the council will have offices in the complex and also that Municipal District meetings will be held there. “The council will make an annual investment in the complex,” he stated. “The council have done a lot of work on this redevelopment,” Cllr Prior added.

Simon Power is Chairperson of the Town Team in Ballinamore. The group facilitate with other committees in the area with tasks such as applying for grants. The Town Team also put on the Leitrim Gathering last year and they will shortly help with the creation of a mural in the town. Simon told the Observer that the courthouse project could lead to further regeneration of Ballinamore.

“We conducted a survey which indicated that 30% of buildings in the town are derelict,” he stated. “I would love to see the type of development that has taken place in Carrick-on-Shannon take place here as well,” Simon added. He went on to describe this project as “exciting” and expressed his hope that it could act as a “lightening rod” for the town.

With a reasonably broad remit in the council report for the possible uses of the complex, the local community could benefit greatly from the project. “I have submitted a number of ideas myself for the complex. I would love to see a tourist attraction and also a coffee shop set up,” he commented. The courthouse is a place of great significance to people in Ballinamore, not least because it housed the local library.

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“Seán brought a whole new dimension to the library,” Cllr Reynolds Flynn stated. “The library opened the world of reading to me, which I still enjoy to this day,” she added.

The Turbitt family lived in the courthouse, with Jim Turbitt the master of the fire station. “The library in those days was silent. You would not make a sound and if you did you were reprimanded!” she remembers. “If you lost a book, you had to pay two and a half pence per week. You dreaded to see the white post card coming in the door, as you would get a telling off at home,” Ita recalls.

As well as being an avid reader, Cllr Reynolds Flynn also had a stint working there. “When I was 18 or 19, I worked for 6 months in the library along with my good friend Patricia Smith,” she recalls.

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Cllr Reynolds Flynn is delighted to see the courthouse coming back into use for the local community again. “It was a big part of our lives as youngsters and it is great to see the Courthouse coming back to the community,” she stated. Throughout it’s history, the courthouse underwent multiple repairs and alterations, such as after being burnt by the IRA in 1922.

The courthouse underwent further changes in 1925 and 1985. The courthouse will soon commence it’s latest chapter.