The new main entrance to the dairy processing facility wll be relocating from Stafford St to Kenyon St.

Work to start on new entrance to Arrabawn

A transformative works project is about the get underway in Nenagh as Arrabawn Co-op embarks on an expansion plan that will see a new entrance created through the old Railway Bar premises.

In many ways the beginning of one era and end of another, the long-vacant bar is now hidden from view ahead of being demolished. It and the old Sutton's coal yard properties will be removed to make way for a new main entrance to the dairy processing facility, which Arrabawn is relocating from Stafford St to Kenyon in a move that should allow easier access for heavy good vehicles. This is part of a three-pronged plan that also involves expansion of the existing casein processing plant at the site, along with an upgrade of its existing wastewater treatment plant.

A venue that holds fond memories for many Nenagh folk, the Railway Bar was owned from as far back as 1842 by the Gleeson family, who ran it as a bar and grocery shop. Nenagh Co-op purchased it in 1980 and continued to run the business with a bar manager.

John Quirke was manager from 1980 to 1985, followed by George Burke from '85 to '89 and Martin Slattery from '89 to 2000. The bar ceased trading in 2000 and the licence was sold in 2002.

Arrabawn Co-Operative Society Ltd is now implementing conditional planning permission that it received to develop the site in 2018. The first of the three elements of the plan will involve relocating the site access. Upgrade works are to be carried out to the existing Kenyon St/Well Rd roundabout junction. A new security control building is to be provided, along with extension/upgrade of the existing milk intake facility with new facilities for truck cleaning and a canopy roof.

Demolition works to facilitate these aspects of the plan include demolition of the former Railway Bar and Sutton's coal yard properties adjoining the Arrabawn Co-op site. The existing security control building is to be demolished within the site.

Site development works will include works to the boundary walls, fencing and gates, footpaths, internal service roads and roundabout, car parks, road lighting, drainage, utility services, line marking and signage. A temporary car park is to be constructed adjacent to Arrabawn's head office on Stafford St.

The second element of the plan involves building extensions to the existing casein plant, which will facilitate an increase in dairy processing capacity. Associated site works will include relocation of the existing external silos.

The third element of the plan comprises installation of wastewater treatment tanks and further new additions, inclduing the construction of a laboratory/office building. An Environmental Impact Assessment was completed as part of the plan.