Castle Stables and Courtyard at Rathfarnham

Project Overview

Rathfarnham Castle is a popular visitor attraction in South Dublin. Four historic stable courtyards adjoin the Castle in a beautiful parkland setting. In February 2024, SDCC appointed a multi-disciplinary design team, led by a Grade 1 conservation architect, to develop detailed proposals for the adaptive reuse of the stables and courtyard complex to support Town Centre First and New European Bauhaus principles.

In parallel, SDCC appointed an independent consultant to facilitate public consultation which helped inform a master vision for the site, and which in turn led to the development of a Part 8 Planning Application. The Part 8 development was approved by Council in July 2025 and includes the adaptive reuse of the existing stables, outbuildings and Cromwell’s Fort into multi-purpose event space, arts, culture and retail space, a pizza parlour and the construction of a new café. Acting as a key gateway for the village, this project will bring vibrancy and vitality to the village, supporting job creation and the local economy.

This project has a budget of approximately €14 million and it is expected that construction works will commence in September 2026.

THRIVE Funding

In September 2025, SDCC welcomed the announcement of €7 million in THRIVE funding to support the redevelopment of this space. The funding is provided through the Government’s THRIVE scheme (Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme), co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021–2027. For more information on THRIVE and the Southern Regional Assembly, please click THRIVE | Southern Regional Assembly.

Adaptive Re-Use and Regeneration

The regeneration project will consist of refurbishment of the existing structures and the construction of a new café, along with significant public realm works. Please click on the links below for more information: