*Photograph: Páraic McMahon.
CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL has begun the compulsory acquisition of twenty derelict properties.
In what marks another move towards accelerating housing delivery in the county which has been a key focus of Gordon Daly since his appointment as Chief Executive of the Council in April 2025, twenty derelict properties are the subject of compulsory purchase orders.
Derelict properties in Broadford, Carrigaholt, Doolin, Ennis, Ennistymon, Kilkee, Kilrush, Labasheeda, Mountshannon, O’Briensbridge, O’Callaghans Mills, Tuamgraney and Ruan will be acquired by the Council. Of the twenty properties identified for compulsory acquisition, fifteen were previously residential in nature, while five were categorised as commercial.
The Council have confirmed the location and size of the twenty properties. They are in Donoughbouy, Kilkee (0.26 hectares), 24-26 Parnell Street, Ennis (0.015 hectares), Frances Street, Kilrush (0.22 hectares), 27 Moore Street, Kilrush (0.016 hectares), Corner of Erin Street and O’Connell Street, Kilkee (0.035 hectares), West Street, Carrigaholt (0.1324 hectares), Well Road Ballymorris, Cratloe (0.161 hectares), Fitz’s Cross, Doolin (0.0479 hectares), 19 New Road, Ennistymon (0.007 hectares), 20 New Road, Ennistymon (0.013 hectares), Dock Road, Tuamgraney (0.26 hectares), Main Street, O’Briensbridge (0.016 hectares), 7 Mountshannon Estate, Labasheeda (0.050 hectares), Clonamirren, Mountshannon (0.222 hectares), 4 Glensheen, Gort Road, Ennis (0.042 hectares), Cloncool, O’Callaghans Mills (0.228 hectares), O’Shea’s Acres, Broadford (0.288 hectares), Newbridge Road, Lifford, Ennis (0.0305 hectares), 157 Finian Park, Shannon (0.018 hectares) and The Old Post Office, Ruan (0.097 hectares).
CPO notices have been served under the statutory powers of the Derelict Sites Act 1990, which empowers the Council to take proactive measures to prevent land from becoming or remaining a derelict site.
Over the past three years, in the region of thirty derelict properties have been compulsory acquired by the Council.
Since his appointment as Chief Executive, Daly has also created a specialialised housing activation unit within the Council and the County Development Plan is proposed to be amended to designate more land for residential development.
Director of Service for Housing with the Council, Alan Farrell said “The use of the CPO process represents a proportionate intervention where necessary. It enables Clare County Council to act in the public interest to address dereliction and bring housing back into use”.
Senior executive officer, Carmel Greene who is one of the leading officials in bringing derelict properties back into use, commented, “The message to owners of derelict properties is clear: engagement and action are essential. The Council offers a range of targeted and practical refurbishment supports, and owners of vacant or derelict properties can avail of these supports. We therefore encourage owners of derelict properties to engage with our staff as soon as possible to identify the best resolution for bringing these homes back into use”.
Within Co Clare, over €30m in grant aid has been approved under the Vacant Property Refurbishment, €15 million of which has been paid out, and over 250 homes refurbished. The Grant has recently been extended to include over the shop, commercial properties and expert advice grant.
