Longford County Council Awards €6.77M Connolly Barracks Refurbishment Contract to Bretland Construction Ltd

Longford County Council has awarded a contract for the refurbishment, renovation, and extension of the historic Connolly Barracks complex in Longford to Bretland Construction Ltd. The €6.77 million project will transform the protected 19th-century H-plan barracks building into modern social and community facilities. The project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021–2027 (THRIVE).

Introduction

Longford County Council has conducted an open procedure for the refurbishment, renovation, and extension of the protected historic Connolly Barracks complex at Church Street, Abbeycartron, Longford. The project will transform the existing 19th-century H-plan barracks building and construct a new rear extension to deliver modern social and community facilities for Longford Town.

The contract, valued at €6,772,494.72, has been awarded to Bretland Construction Ltd, an SME based in Edenderry. The contract runs for 18 months and is part of Longford County Council's urban renewal programme. The project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021–2027 (THRIVE).

Five tenders were received from other EEA countries.

Why This Contract Matters

This contract ensures the preservation and transformation of a protected historic building into a modern community asset for Longford Town.

This contract matters because it:

• Preserves heritage: Refurbishes a protected 19th-century barracks
• Supports community: Creates modern social and community facilities
• Significant value: €6,772,494.72
• Long-term commitment: 18-month construction period
• EU co-funding: Supported by ERDF (THRIVE programme)
• SME participation: Winner is an SME
• Urban renewal: Part of Longford's urban renewal programme

Contract Timeline

• Previous notice: 036a87e1-3597-43c3-bce1-541fff9f5ead-02
• Winner chosen: 4 June 2026
• Contract concluded: 28 August 2026
• Contract duration: 18 months
• Notice published: 4 September 2026 (OJ S 171/2026)

Contract Overview

Longford County Council conducted an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Key features include:

• Single lot: One contract covering all works
• Awarded value: €6,772,494.72
• Duration: 18 months
• No framework agreement: Direct works contract
• Evaluation: Price (70%), Quality (30%)
• Winner: Bretland Construction Ltd (SME)
• Subcontracting: Not yet known
• EU co-funding: ERDF (THRIVE programme)

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	Longford County Council
Contract title	Refurbishment, Renovation and Extension of the Existing Connolly Barracks, Church Street, Abbeycartron, Longford
Main CPV	45211350 Multi-functional buildings construction work
Additional CPVs	45212300, 45210000, 45212350, 45212000, 92520000, 92522000, 45450000, 45262690, 45262700, 45262800, 45400000
Procedure type	Open procedure (standard regime)
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU
Awarded value (EUR)	€6,772,494.72
Number of lots	1
Contract duration	18 months
EU co-funding	ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021–2027 (THRIVE)
Covered by GPA	Yes
Evaluation criteria	Price (70%), Quality (30%)
Location	Longford, Ireland (NUTS: IE063)
Subcontracting	Not yet known
Number of tenders	5
SME participation	Winner is an SME

Project Scope – Connolly Barracks

• Building: Protected historic Connolly Barracks complex
• Era: 19th-century H-plan barracks building
• Location: Church Street, Abbeycartron, Longford
• Works: Refurbishment, renovation, and extension
• New construction: Rear extension for modern social and community facilities
• Additional works: Full mechanical, electrical, and site development works
• Outcome: Modern social and community facilities for Longford Town

EU Co-Funding – ERDF THRIVE Programme

• Fund: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2021/2027
• Programme: Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021–2027
• Project name: THRIVE
• Co-funding: Government of Ireland and European Union
• Purpose: Supports urban renewal and community development

About the Contracting Authority

Longford County Council is the local authority for County Longford in Ireland. The Council is responsible for local services, urban renewal, and community development in the county, including the preservation and redevelopment of heritage buildings.

About the Winning Supplier

Bretland Construction Ltd is an SME construction company based in Edenderry, County Offaly, Ireland. The company specialises in construction, refurbishment, and renovation projects.

• Size: Micro, small, or medium enterprise
• Headquarters: 10 A Eden Trading Estate, Edenderry, Ireland (NUTS: IE063)
• Registration number: 315008
• Specialisation: Construction, refurbishment, and renovation
• Subcontracting: Not yet known

Evaluation Criteria

The contract was awarded based on two criteria:

• Price (70%): Overall cost of the works
• Quality (30%): Quality of the proposed solution and approach

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.
• Competition: Five tenders were received from other EEA countries.
• SME participation: The winner is an SME.
• Subcontracting: Not yet known.
• EU co-funding: The project is co-funded by ERDF under the THRIVE programme.
• No framework agreement: This is a direct works contract.
• No dynamic purchasing system used.
• Accelerated procedure: No.
• Strategic procurement: No strategic objectives specified.
• Review body: The High Court of Ireland.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• The project is co-funded by the ERDF THRIVE programme.
• The contract value is €6,772,494.72.
• The contract duration is 18 months.
• Price is weighted at 70%.
• Quality is weighted at 30%.
• Five tenders were received from other EEA countries.
• The winner is an SME.
• Subcontracting is not yet known.
• The project involves the refurbishment of a protected 19th-century building.
• Review deadlines fall to The High Court of Ireland.

Market & Industry Perspective

The Irish heritage refurbishment market is specialised, with a focus on preserving historic buildings while adapting them for modern use. EU co-funded projects like THRIVE support urban renewal and community development.

Key trends in this market include:

• Heritage preservation: Refurbishment of protected buildings
• EU co-funding: Growing use of ERDF and other EU funds
• Urban renewal: Investment in town and city centres
• SME participation: SMEs compete effectively
• Community facilities: Conversion of heritage buildings to community use

Economic Significance

At €6.77 million, this contract represents a significant investment in Longford Town's urban renewal. The contract will:

• Preserve heritage: Protect a historic 19th-century building
• Support community: Create modern social and community facilities
• Support SME: Bretland Construction Ltd is an SME
• Utilise EU funding: ERDF co-funding
• Create employment: Work for construction staff

Future Procurement Opportunities

With this contract now in place, future opportunities include:

• Related works: Additional urban renewal projects in Longford
• Maintenance: Ongoing maintenance of the completed facility
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with Bretland Construction
• Other Irish towns: Similar heritage refurbishment projects

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, opportunities remain for construction and heritage refurbishment suppliers:

• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with Bretland Construction
• Related projects: Other urban renewal projects
• Heritage works: Other protected building refurbishments
• Other Irish counties: Similar heritage refurbishment tenders

What Businesses Should Watch

• Longford County Council's future procurement notices
• Other Irish urban renewal projects
• ERDF-funded projects
• Heritage refurbishment market trends
• Changes to Irish procurement regulations

IrelandTenders Procurement Intelligence

This heritage refurbishment contract is a notable example of Irish urban renewal procurement with EU co-funding. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €6.77M over 18 months
• Price focus: 70% weighting on price
• SME winner: Bretland Construction is an SME
• EU co-funded: ERDF THRIVE programme
• Heritage: Protected 19th-century building
• Competition: Five tenders from other EEA countries

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Competitive pricing: Price accounts for 70% of evaluation
• Quality demonstration: Quality accounts for 30%
• Heritage expertise: Experience with protected buildings
• EU funding compliance: Understanding of ERDF requirements
• Urban renewal experience: Public sector urban regeneration projects

Supplier Takeaways

• Offer competitive pricing – 70% of evaluation is price-based
• Demonstrate quality – 30% weighting
• Build heritage refurbishment expertise
• Understand EU funding (ERDF) requirements
• Develop urban renewal experience
• Monitor Irish public sector construction procurement opportunities

Key Takeaways

• Longford County Council awarded a €6.77M heritage refurbishment contract to Bretland Construction Ltd
• Single lot covering refurbishment, renovation, and extension of Connolly Barracks
• Duration: 18 months
• Evaluation: Price (70%), Quality (30%)
• Five tenders from other EEA countries
• Winner is an SME
• EU co-funded: ERDF THRIVE programme
• Protected 19th-century building

Conclusion

This heritage refurbishment contract ensures the preservation and transformation of the historic Connolly Barracks into a modern community asset for Longford Town. By awarding the contract to Bretland Construction Ltd, an SME, Longford County Council supports local enterprise while securing a cost-effective and quality-driven construction solution.

The 70% weighting on price reflects the importance of cost-effectiveness in public sector construction, while the 30% weighting on quality ensures that technical standards are met. The EU co-funding through the ERDF THRIVE programme underscores the European dimension of this important urban renewal project.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of competitive pricing, quality, heritage expertise, and EU funding compliance in winning Irish public sector construction contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Longford County Council?

Ans: The local authority for County Longford, Ireland, responsible for local services and urban renewal.

Q: What is the value of the contract?

Ans: €6,772,494.72.

Q: Who is the winner?

Ans: Bretland Construction Ltd, an SME based in Edenderry, County Offaly.

Q: What is being built?

Ans: Refurbishment, renovation, and extension of the protected historic Connolly Barracks into modern social and community facilities.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Price (70%) and Quality (30%).

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 18 months.

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: Five tenders were received from other EEA countries.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: Yes, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021–2027 (THRIVE).

Q: What is the review body?

Ans: The High Court of Ireland.

Q: What is the THRIVE programme?

Ans: An urban renewal programme co-funded by the ERDF and the Government of Ireland.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 611569-2026, OJ S 171/2026, published 4 September 2026.

```