Expression of Interest – The Dalton Centre, Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly

Offaly County Council invites Expressions of Interest for the reuse, on a long-term lease basis of a large vacant unit (1,200 square meters) known as The Dalton Centre, Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly.

Unit

The unit is a large single storey open plan industrial building, approx 1,200 square meters in size.  It consists of a steel frame with precast concrete cladding slabs at lower level and profiled metal vertical cladding at high level.  There are 4 roller shutter doors to access the building and a profiled metal pitch roof.  Floor level to eaves height is 9.82m.  Subdivision of the unit can be considered. The cost of the internal fit out of the unit and outside site works to the clients’ requirements, will be borne by the successful applicant(s). 

Location

The unit is on a 4-hectare site adjacent to the now decommissioned West Offaly Power Station and the recently developed flagship 100MW, Shannonbridge Battery Energy Storage Systems facility.  It lies on the periphery of the village of Shannonbridge, in the west of the county on the banks of the River Shannon.  The unit presents an extremely attractive opportunity as it lies close to the borders of South Roscommon and East Galway and is equidistant from the large towns of Ballinasloe and Athlone.  Its central location within the country and its proximity to the motorway network makes it highly accessible for those seeking to invest.

Expressions of Interest Process

The qualification / award criteria for the expressions of interest process will be for the applicant to show:

1. Proposed Use – the applicant must outline clearly the nature of the proposed enterprise, what the building will be used for and what modifications, if any, will be required.
2. Employment Generation – the creation of new sustainable employment with regard to quality green jobs, within a diversified economy, is key to all applications.  Aligning with the objectives of the EU Just Transition Fund 2021-2027, applicants should also give emphasis to the generation of employment for the former peat communities, by investing in the diversification of the local economy. 
3. Community Gain (positive contribution to the local community)

Any lessee is required to sign a Deed of Renunciation in conjunction with completing & signing any lease.

Completed Expressions of Interest submissions should be forwarded to:

localenterprise@offalycoco.ie, no later than close of business on Wednesday 16th September 2026. Please include Expression of Interest Dalton Centre in the subject line of your email.

It is envisaged that the evaluation process will be completed in the coming weeks and the results will be made available thereafter. Please note that this timeframe may be amended to ensure meaningful stakeholder engagement and the best possible outcome.

Lease Arrangements

Terms for a new FRI lease can be negotiated; any new lease agreement will be subject to S.183 of the Local Government Act 2001.  Rental rates will be in line with market value of between €2 – €4 per square Ft. per annum or between €21 – €43 per Sq. Meter, per annum. The premises is 12,916.69 Sq. Ft. in total.                                                                      

Value output of proposed tenants’ industry will be taken into consideration when agreeing rental rate with successful applicant.

Important: Please note the following:

Grant assistance was received from the EU Just Transition Fund to repurpose the building and to provide basic services, and so applicants must be committed to the objectives of the fund in terms of economic diversification and enterprise which supports the development of the green, low carbon or circular economy. 

Applicants across the full enterprise spectrum showing innovation and use of low carbon practices will be positively considered.

The unit is open to a range of potential uses, but applicants will be expected to demonstrate their commitment to the policies in the Offaly County Development Plan 2021-2027 which support economic development within the transition to a low carbon / green / circular economy.  Please refer to the Offaly County Council website https://www.offaly.ie/c/county-development-plan/

For any further information regarding this please contact Colm Kelly, Senior Economic Development Officer, Offaly County Council at

colm.kelly@leo.offalycoco.ie or click here

There are a number of other considerations worth noting, including the following:

• Any successful applicant will be subject to the standard public liability requirements of Offaly County Council, including the Council being indemnified.
• In the event that the proposed use ceases operations, the operator will be responsible for decommissioning the unit and any costs associated with same.
• That the successful entity shall be liable for payment of stamp duty, VAT and any other statutory costs, which may arise on the creation of the Lease.
• Each party will be responsible for their own costs, including any legal fees.
• The successful applicant will be responsible for all planning requirements, including any external signage.
• The successful applicant will be responsible for any utility charges, including water and electricity.
• The successful applicant will be responsible for any rates payable to the Council.
• The Council will provide BER Certificate as required.
• Any fit out works or modifications to be notified to the Council. No works should commence until approved by the Council.
• A full lease agreement will be put in place for an agreed term and rental fees. Any Lease agreement will be subject to S.183 of the Local Government Act 2001. Rental rates will be in line with market value.
• Retail operations will not be considered for this space.
• Any agreement will be subject to full terms and conditions.