Plan to maximise tourism in Nenagh

Plans for a transformation of the Banba Square area of Nenagh and a bid to maximise the tourism potential of the nearby range of heritage buildings continue to be progressed by the Nenagh Municipal District Authority.

The authority has embarked on an ambitious plan that will see development of buildings such as the Nenagh Castle and old Goal Block situated in the courthouse grounds, as it seeks to maximise the tourism potential of the town’s heritage and historic quarter.

As part of the overall plan, the old Gaol Governor’s House off Banba Square recently received €37,000 to carry out conservation works to the windows and doors of the historic building.

The grant has been received by the Nenagh Municipal District authority under the Government’s Built Heritage Investment Scheme.

Speaking at most recent meeting of the district authority, Administrator Rosemary Joyce said the local authority would continue to strive to source further funding for various proposals in relation to Nenagh’s Historic & Cultural Quarter as central funding opportunities open up.

Ms Joyce revealed that work is taking place on preparing an application under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in respect of the three-storey Gaol Block. Ms Joyce said the aim is to secure funding to allow this historic heritage building to be brought back into public use. Central funding has previously been received by the local authority to prepare plans for proposed works in the Goal Block and now the council is hoping to progress those plans by getting funds from the Government to carry out actual works.

REGENERATION

Director of Services Dave Carroll in a report to the meeting said a tourism-led Regeneration Plan for the town aims to inject new life into specific existing buildings and civic spaces of distinction and value within Nenagh that will include the gaol and the 12th Century castle and Banba Square.

Mr Carroll said the aim of the plan was to stimulate tourism growth and revitalise the local economy and visitor economy within a context of tourism-led regeneration, comprising arts, history, heritage and culture.

He reported that funding for the plan was approved in 2020 under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF).

Total project costs approved to date were €957,788 and RRDF grants have amount to €672,534.