New Penneys Store Main Street Cavan Opening Spring 2028

For years, Cavan shoppers have made the trip to Dublin or Dundalk for a Penneys fix, but that will soon change – Primark confirmed in January 2026 that it will open a new Penneys store on Main Street in Cavan town, taking over the former Tesco site, with doors expected in Spring 2028. Here’s everything you need to know.

New store number: 39th in the Republic of Ireland ·
Announcement date: 22 January 2026 ·
Planned opening: Spring 2028 ·
Location: Main Street, Cavan ·
Previous occupant: Tesco (moving to Townparks)

Six confirmed facts at a glance, one pattern: every source agrees on the core details, but the finer points remain unspecified.

Sources: Primark Corporate News, RTÉ News, The Irish Post

Where will the new Penneys store in Cavan be located?

Exact address on Main Street

• The store will be on Cavan’s Main Street, occupying the building that currently houses Tesco (Primark Corporate News).
• Primark has not disclosed a specific street number, but the site is in the heart of the town centre.

Former Tesco site details

• Tesco will vacate the Main Street premises and relocate to Townparks, a short distance away (Primark Corporate News).
• The move frees up a prime retail unit that Penneys will refit for its own use.

Location in Cavan town centre

• The site is in Cavan town centre, not a peripheral retail park — a deliberate choice to anchor Main Street (The Anglo-Celt).
• Local businesses expect increased footfall from shoppers drawn to the new anchor store.

The pattern: Cavan’s retail geography is shifting from a single supermarket anchor to a mixed-destination model where Penneys becomes the new magnet.

When will the new Penneys in Cavan open?

Announced opening date

• Primark confirmed the Cavan store will open in Spring 2028 (Primark Corporate News).
• The announcement was made on 22 January 2026, with no firm month specified yet.

Construction timeline

• As of May 2026, preparations were underway but construction had not started (The Anglo-Celt).
• Tesco’s move to Townparks is a prerequisite for the site handover.

Why 2028?

• The timeline reflects the time needed for Tesco’s relocation and Penneys’ fit-out works.
• Primark is investing over €250 million in Ireland over ten years, with Cavan part of that commitment (RTÉ News).

The implication: Cavan shoppers will wait a little over two years from the announcement — a long lead time, but typical for a project involving a supermarket move and a large retail fit-out.

Why do the Irish call Primark Penneys?

History of the Penneys brand in Ireland

• The chain was founded in Dublin in 1969 under the name Penneys (The Irish Post).
• When expanding to the UK, the company discovered the trademark “Penneys” was already taken, so it used Primark instead.

Why the name differs from Primark

• Trademark issues forced the brand to choose a different name outside Ireland (Primark Corporate News).
• Within Ireland, the original Penneys branding was retained and remains the legal brand name.

Is Penneys the same as Primark?

• Yes — the stores, products, prices, and ownership are identical. Only the name differs by market.
• In England, the stores are called Primark; in Ireland, they are Penneys. The company is registered as Primark Stores Ltd.

What this means: the naming quirk is a historical accident that became a beloved part of Irish retail identity.

Where are the biggest Penneys stores in Ireland?

Largest Penneys locations

• Dublin’s O’Connell Street store is one of the largest, spanning multiple floors (RTÉ News).
• The Ilac Centre in Dublin also houses a flagship-sized Penneys.
• Other large stores include Dundrum Town Centre and Liffey Valley.

How Cavan compares

• The Cavan store will be a standard size — no official square footage has been released.
• It is not expected to be a flagship like the Dublin city-centre stores.

List of flagship stores

• Dublin O’Connell Street – over 100,000 sq ft
• Dublin Ilac Centre – approximately 80,000 sq ft
• Dundrum Town Centre – approximately 60,000 sq ft
• Liffey Valley – approximately 50,000 sq ft

Five stores, one pattern: the largest Penneys are in Dublin’s prime retail zones, while regional stores like Cavan serve towns with strong local demand.

The catch: without an official size, Cavan shoppers should expect a standard mid-sized Penneys — similar to those in Athlone or Letterkenny — not a superstore.

What preparations are underway for the new Penneys in Cavan?

Current status

• As of May 2026, site preparations were underway (The Anglo-Celt).
• Tesco had publicly announced its move to Townparks, clearing the way for Penneys.

Site preparations

• Primark indicated that works had not yet started at the time of announcement (Primark Corporate News).
• The fit-out will need to adapt the existing supermarket layout to a fashion retail format.

Impact on local businesses

• Local business leaders have welcomed the move, expecting a boost in footfall on Main Street.
• Some existing clothing retailers may face increased competition.

Why this matters: the net effect on Cavan’s town centre will depend on whether Penneys expands the total shopping pie or simply redirects existing spend.

Timeline: Key dates for the Cavan Penneys store

• 22 January 2026 – Penneys confirms new store on Main Street (Primark Corporate News)
• May 2026 – Preparations underway; Tesco announces move to Townparks (The Anglo-Celt)
• Spring 2028 – Expected opening of the new Penneys store (RTÉ News)

The pattern: a two-year runway from confirmation to opening — standard for a development of this nature, but Cavan shoppers will be watching closely for any delays.

The pattern: confirmed facts are well-sourced, while the unknown details are typical for a project still in planning stages.

Perspectives from the ground

“We are delighted to confirm our plans to open a new Penneys store in Cavan town, bringing our value fashion and homeware to the county for the first time.”

Primark Corporate News (official press release, January 2026)

“This is a huge boost for Cavan town centre. The arrival of Penneys will attract more shoppers and revitalise Main Street.”

The Anglo-Celt (local Cavan newspaper, quoting a local business representative)

“We are relocating to Townparks to provide an improved shopping experience for our customers in a more modern facility.”

Tesco spokesperson, as reported by RTÉ News

The upshot: three different voices — corporate, local, and competitor — all pointing to a significant shift in Cavan’s retail landscape.

For Cavan shoppers, the choice is clear: wait until Spring 2028 for the convenience of a town-centre Penneys, or continue the road trip. Either way, the retail landscape of Cavan is about to change.

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