Good news for Town Hall

There was great news recently in relation to the future of Templemore Town Hall with any fears about its future development put to bed.

With major funding previously allocated for the project, locals wondered if it would reach completion. A combination of factors, including the pandemic and the global increase in the cost of materials, seemed to have stalled the project somewhat. However, the announcement of another €1 million by Minister Heather Humphreys shows the Town Hall and Civic Plaza project is back on track, according to local councillor Noel Coonan.

“Any doubts about the Town Hall development going ahead have been removed,” he said. “In February 2020, €2.1 million was approved but the real costs are over €4 million now, so the additional shortfall of €1.2 million has now been allocated by the minister. 75% will come from the Rural Development Fund and 25% will come from the council's own resources. Nothing to stop the project going ahead now.”

Cllr Coonan also said the Town Hall and Civic Plaza will bring new life back into the town. “The development will prove to be a focal point – and across the road is the access to the Town Park and there are plans to develop that as well. It’ll bring a new vibrancy to the centre of the town.”

The Town Hall holds a special place for the people of Templemore. Built by public subscription in 1816, it was destroyed by fire on August 16, 1920 by members of the Northamptonshire Regiment, who were stationed in Richmond Barracks. Earlier that day, District Inspector Wilson had been shot dead on Patrick Street in the gateway between Dermor O’Shea’s former butcher shop and Joe Kelly’s solicitors office. By way of reprisal, the Town Hall was set ablaze later that night.

It was rebuilt in 1927 by Con Cahill of Rathdowney. It has served many purposes during the century since its reconstruction, including dances, concerts, boxing matches, home of the Urban Council and, for many years, Templemore Library.