Planning bid still expected for key Athlone town centre site

Plans for the redevelopment of the former O'Neill's Pub site in the centre of Athlone continue to move forward, with Westmeath County Council confirming that a prospective developer remains engaged with the local authority ahead of the submission of a planning application.

The update comes after the closing date for expressions of interest in the site, which were invited by the council's selling agents, Avison Young, until July 2.

Responding to a query from the Westmeath Independent, the council said the original expression of interest remains active.

"The expression of interest in the site remains and the interested party are engaging with Westmeath County Council with a view to submitting a planning application," a council spokesperson said.

The local authority added that no other expressions of interest had progressed.

"Sale of the site will be subject to the provisions of Section 183(1) of the Local Government Act, 2001," the spokesperson said, meaning any disposal of the council-owned site will require the approval of elected members.

Once submitted, the planning application and associated documentation will be available to view on Westmeath County Council's online planning portal.

The latest update follows confirmation by the council earlier this year that a planning application for the prominent town centre site was expected in early 2026.

At the February meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District, councillors were told the prospective developer was keen to progress the project and that an in-committee presentation would be arranged once plans had reached the planning stage.

The council also indicated at that time that details relating to the proposed disposal of the lands would be brought before elected members for consideration in due course.

Interest in the long-derelict site first emerged in late 2025, when the council said a proposal had been received from a potential developer and discussions were under way regarding the sale and redevelopment of the property.

The site had originally been placed on the market in 2022, but a sale did not proceed, prompting the council to remarket the property in early 2025.

Occupying one of the most prominent redevelopment sites in Athlone town centre, the former O'Neill's Pub property has long been viewed as a key opportunity for regeneration.

However, the nature and scale of the proposed development has yet to be made public, with those details expected to emerge when a planning application is lodged.

The pub and an auctioneers premises at the site were destroyed by fire in December 2010.