Project update on developments in North Tipperary

Despite the setbacks brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a lot of progress being made in Nenagh Municipal District this year, updates on which were provided at its September meeting. Town revival initiatives: Drainage works have taken place at John's Lane Car Park ahead of resurfacing the car park in a project that will include new lighting, landscaping and charge points for electric vehicles.

Painting scheme: Some 125 applications were approved for the Painting and Enhancement Scheme between Nenagh, Borrisokane, Ballina, Newport and Cloughjordan. District Administrator Rosemary Joyce said the council was “absolutely astounded” with the number of applications - 148 in all - and that the scheme has proven very successful this year, providing employment, generating business and making a big difference to the appearance of all towns involved.

Nenagh Town Team: A pilot enhancement scheme is being undertaken in relation to Wolfe Tone Terrace that will see all properties in the row of houses painted in accordance with a colour scheme designed by a colour consultant. A contractor has been engaged and it is hoped that work will commence in the next few weeks. Funding has been secured under the Covid-19 Measures Grant Scheme for Kenyon St and Hanley's Place. Six car parking spaces are to be removed on Kenyon St to provide additional commercial space including landscaping and a seating area. At Hanley's Place - where a pedestrianisation system is presently being trialled - signage, lighting and other enhancement measures are to be put in place to improve the lane in a similar fashion to Glebe Lane and Lewis Lane.
Meanwhile, grant funding of €25,000 has been secured for a number of promotional initiatives in Nenagh, including the provision of “Smart benches” with phone charging ports, wi-fi and digital advertising space. 
This funding will also be used to provide a brochure for the diaspora, assisting the increasing number of people visiting Nenagh to trace their ancestral roots.

Emmet Place demolition: Contractor Kenny Civils is onsite for the demolition of buildings at the Emmet Place/Mitchel St junction. Smith Demolition has been sub-contracted to carry out the demolition work this month.
Tourist Office/Banba Square: It is envisaged that work on the provision of a new tourist office at Nenagh Arts Centre will commence in early October. Enhancement works are also set to take place at Banba Square.
Town & Village Renewal - Ely O'Carroll Place: Work has commenced on site clearance and fencing off of the area concerned.
Nenagh Digital Hub: Plans for the development of a digital hub at Stereame are now on display. Submissions are invited and the plan will be considered by councillors at their November meeting.

 

NENAGH 800
While it has not been possible to proceed with physical events this year, a number of initiatives are being pursued to celebrate Nenagh's historical milestone. Among these is a 20-page supplement on Nenagh Gaol to be published as a collector's item by the Nenagh Guardian in October. 

The 25th triennial issue of the Journal of the Butler Society will be published this year and will include a piece on Nenagh Castle and the influence of the Butler family over its 800-year history.
Also as part of Nenagh 800, a podcast is being prepared on the subject of Nenagh and North Tipperary during the Revolutionary Decade; panelists will include Tommy Graham, Gerard Dooley, John Flannery, Seán Hogan and Catilin White. August 2020 marked the 175th anniversary of the arrival of the potato blight in Ireland in 1845. A talk on Nenagh and the Famine will be broadcast online by historian Dr Ciarán Reilly.
Meanwhile, the Dromineer Nenagh Literary Festival marked Nenagh 800 with a performance from Jim Minogue's play ‘Trainees’, which deals with the fate of the Cormack Brothers.

 

NEWPORT AND BALLINA
Newport Town Park contractor Sole Sports & Leisure is onsite and substantial progress has been made. Elsewhere, public consultation for the Newport Enhancement Plan will commence in the near future. Also in Newport, tenders have been invited for conservation works on the courthouse. The works to be carried out relate mainly to roof and gutter repairs.

In Ballina, submissions on the Killaloe-Ballina Town Enhancement, Tourism and Mobility Plan are currently being considered. Separately, consultants have been requested to progress the preparation of an application to An Bord Pleanála in respect of a Ballina riverside amenity project. Councillors welcomed what Cllr Joe Hannigan described as “top class work”, projects that would have spin-off benefit for the entire municipal area. 
“There's a lot of positive action taking place,” he said. 

Cllr Ger Darcy encouraged the council to capitalise on local genealogy work, while Cllr Hughie McGrath wanted a creative approach to Christmas lighting to improve the works at Hanley's Place and Kenyon St. 
Cllr Séamie Morris said there is funding available to decorate murals and awnings, and that this could be used to pay tribute to famous people of the town as part of Nenagh 800.
Cllr John Rocky McGrath said Newport is looking very well as a result of the painting scheme. 

“It is a remarkable job. We salute ye,” he said of the council's efforts.