Athlone hosts major housing roadshow
A roadshow to discuss practical measures which can help unlock housing opportunities throughout Westmeath, Roscommon and the wider region took place in Athlone earlier this month.
The Hardware Association Ireland roadshow, ‘Unlocking Housing Opportunities 2026’, was held in Athlone, on Thursday, June 11. The roadshow brought together industry leaders, local authority representatives, county councillors and stakeholders.
The roadshow attracted attendance from local representatives from both Roscommon and Westmeath, reflecting the growing recognition that Ireland's housing challenge can be addressed by making better use of existing vacant buildings, above the shop dwellings and increased development of rural family homes.
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Cllr John Gibbons, Jean Ryan, director of service, Westmeath County Council, Tommy Hogan, CEO Athlone Chamber, Cllr. John Dolan and Triona Stack, Architect and Research UCD at the Hardware Association Ireland roadshow in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone. Photos: Paul Molloy.Image 2 of 2
Cllr. Frankie Keena, Denise Boland, marketing manager Heat Merchants, and Jim Copeland, head of member relations Hardware Association Ireland, at the roadshow in the Radisson Blu Hotel, AthloneA central theme of the roadshow was the need to focus on the housing potential that already exists within rural communities across the country. Attendees heard from housing experts about how targeted policy changes, grant supports and regulatory reforms could rapidly bring thousands of homes onto the market.
Speaking after the roadshow event in Athlone, Hardware Association Ireland (HAI) Chief Executive Officer, Martin Markey, said:
“Ireland does not need to start from scratch to address our housing shortage. Across every county, we have vacant buildings, unused upper floors, derelict properties, and underused rural sites that can be transformed into homes and help build thriving communities.
“The message from local authority representatives, councillors and industry stakeholders was clear: we need to make better use of the buildings and sites we already have. By removing barriers to refurbishment and reuse, we can tackle housing supply, regenerate our town centres and support sustainable rural development at the same time. This is one of the fastest and most cost effective ways to increase housing delivery in 2026 and beyond.”
HAI emphasised that a focused national strategy on vacant properties, above the shop dwellings and one-off rural family homes could significantly contribute to housing delivery, while also supporting sustainable development, local economic activity, and rural community revival.