News – Carlow Exchange , Potato Market , Carlow

Carlow Exchange, Drawing, Plans, Elevations & 3Ds.pdf (size 6.1 MB)

Carlow County Council are currently in the process of developing a covered open space in the centre of Carlow Town at Potato Market, in the old Tully’s Yard, called The Carlow Exchange.

The vision for the project is that “The Carlow Exchange” will provide: 

• A space of endless possibilities in Carlow Town Centre.
• A 332 square meter Semi-Covered managed outdoor space created for all to experience.
• A space that is suitable for Micro Festivals, Performances, Cinema screenings, Product launches, Student & Youth Events, Photography & Film Location Markets, Fairs & Tourism events, Farmers Market.
• A space operated on a Not-for-Profit Basis by Carlow County Council coordinated by the Economic Development Unit/Local Enterprise Office

As part of the project development process, Carlow County Council are interested to meet potential users of the space who will inform the operational and layout of the space and associated services on the site. It is envisaged the space will be used for Cultural, Economic, Community and Social Activities.

There are many potential uses for this versatile space, including:

Cinema • Community Garden • Conference Centre • Craft Space • Cultural Use • Dance Classes • Gaming Uses • Playground • Recreational Space • Restaurant/Café • Science/Technology.

The Carlow Exchange will become a key focal space in Carlow Town Centre for exchange of information, culture, ideas and will become an economic and social hub, and could become a place to host public events, tell stories and share ideas. The possibilities are endless, and the space could be used for community debate, banter and incidental interactions, and could be used to display architectural models, drawings, maps, photographs and be an interesting space for architectural historians, researchers, geographers, poets, writers and thinkers. 

The purpose of this project is to protect and enhance the vitality and vibrancy of the town centre and to provide for and improve cultural, tourism, public facilities, amenity and other uses appropriate to the centre of a developing urban core.

The project development is funded under the Town & Village Accelerate Scheme and will form part of the Carlow County Council response to the creation of public spaces in respect of Life.

Worth Living Action Plan for Arts & Culture.

Are you a potential user for the site ?

During February, Carlow County Council will meet with potential users for the site to help inform the operational model and logistics designs of the space.

To arrange an engagement please e-mail enterprise@carlowcoco.ie or call Pierce Kavanagh on 059-9129783.  At the session you will be given an overview of the project and have an opportunity to discuss your potential use of the facility.  It is envisaged the space will have a series of regular users and a series of ad-doc uses and events also.

The project development is funded under the Town & Village Accelerate Scheme and Failte Ireland’s Open Public Spaces Scheme 2021 will form part of the Carlow County Council response to the creation of public spaces in respect of the Life Worth Living Action Plan for Arts & Culture.

Would you or your business/group like to hire the Space?

To submit an expression of interest please log onto https://leocarlow.submit.com , register or sign in, select The Carlow Exchange and click on ‘Apply’ to answer the questions, and the Local Enterprise Office will be in touch. The Carlow Exchange is expected to be open for business from December 2021.