16 Mayo pubs are to be turned into 40 residential units

Sixteen pubs in Mayo are set to be turned into 40 residential units.

This comes as part of plans for 100 pubs nationwide to be redeveloped to create nearly 300 new homes.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, published figures showing that local authorities received 1,165 notifications to convert vacant commercial premises into new homes between 2018 and 2023. 

These notifications have the potential to result in 2,716 new homes across Ireland.

Planning exemptions introduced in 2018, removed the requirement for planning permission for the conversion of certain types of vacant commercial property into residential units, and in 2022, the exemption was extended to allow vacant pubs to be converted into homes. 

The Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, Alan Dillon, called this ‘one of a suite of measures’ proving effective in encouraging property owners to convert vacant commercial buildings to residential use. 

“Bringing vacant and derelict properties back into reuse can be a catalyst for regeneration and revitalisation, bringing vibrancy back to communities,” added the Mayo TD.

In 2022 and 2023, 92 notifications relating to pubs were received by local authorities with the intention to create 295 new homes.

Minister O’Brien said converting empty buildings into homes is ‘a key component of Housing for All’. 

“These figures show that policies which have eased the planning burden for those who wish to convert unoccupied commercial premises, including pubs, into residential use are helping to increase supply, tackle vacancy and renew urban areas,” he added.

Minister O’Brien explained that he visited counties and saw first-hand the impact of turning what was once a vacant pub into ‘five or six new apartments’. 

He concluded: “It makes sense to provide the exemptions and to make it easier for people to convert commercial buildings into high-quality homes.’’

See below the county-by-county breakdown: