Irish Towns Revitalize Centers by Encouraging Living Over Shops

Historically, living above shops was common in Ireland, as exemplified by James Joyce’s «The Dead» set in a rented apartment over a cornfactor at 15 Usher’s Island. Many Irish towns, like Borris, Co Carlow, and Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny, once had vibrant communities with families residing above businesses. However, today, numerous first and second floors in town centers remain empty despite a housing crisis.

Pat Doyle and his wife Kyra in Graiguenamanagh are an exception, raising three children above their pub, Mick Doyle’s. Pat, who grew up over a pub, emphasizes the convenience and community benefits, noting it’s not noisy due to modern glazing. He is also converting another Main Street property for short-term letting to address accommodation shortages in the tourist town.

In Kilkenny city, Pat Crotty, CEO of the Vintner’s Federation of Ireland, and his wife Pamela moved into a two-bedroom apartment above a family business on High Street after their children left home. They sold their suburban house to help their children with mortgages and now enjoy easy access to amenities and a strong community connection. Crotty highlights that converting the space, though requiring work for regulations, was comparable in cost to building on a greenfield site, with existing utilities.

Crotty argues that promoting living over shops is a cost-effective housing solution that reduces car dependency, supports existing school buildings, and revitalizes local businesses and street safety. While numerous grants exist, they are often complex. Senator Malcolm Noonan of the Green Party attributes empty town centers to rezoning in the 2000s, which favored out-of-town shopping centers. He suggests that living over shops could provide central accommodation for young people, combat isolation for older residents, and foster community, a practice common across Europe.