Lisdoonvarna Spa Wells
Heritage-led Masterplan
Lisdoonvarna Spa Wells was restored as a vibrant centre of wellness, culture, and connection?
What if…
Client
Clare County Council
Location
Lisdoonvarna
Dates
2024-2025
Value
€68,000
In 2024, Clare County Council secured funding through the Historic Towns Initiative (HTI) to prepare a heritage-led regeneration plan for the Lisdoonvarna Spa Wells (Gowlaun Spa). The project focuses on the conservation, reuse, and long-term sustainability of the historic spa complex, with the aim of restoring public access and re-establishing the site as a community asset and wellness-focused visitor destination.
Revitalising Lisdoonvarna’s historic Spa Wells as a shared heritage and wellness destination.
The Spa Wells comprise a distinctive ensemble of mineral springs, Victorian-era structures, engineered water features, and woodland landscape. Historically central to Lisdoonvarna’s development as Ireland’s first spa town, the site has been closed in recent years and is in a fragile condition, requiring coordinated conservation and a clear strategy for future use. The property is held in trust by Lisdoonvarna Fáilte CLG on behalf of the local community, with public access forming a core principle of the project.
The regeneration plan is supported by two parallel documents: a Conservation Management Plan, prepared by James Grieve Architects, which sets out policies for the repair and adaptive reuse of the site’s five historic buildings; and a Business Case, establishing a phased, financially viable operating model.
The project was informed by extensive community engagement, including the Tapping the Wells initiative and inputs from the Lisdoonvarna Heritage Plan & Design Guide, alongside consultation with Clare County Council specialists and regional stakeholders such as the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark. Together, the documents provide a practical framework for conservation, reuse, and phased delivery, positioning the Spa Wells as a key heritage asset within Lisdoonvarna’s future regeneration.