Green light for €11.5m Ennis Public Realm Regeneration project
Barrack Square and Old Barrack St will be developed as a ‘café quarter’
Print7 July 2023
Clare County Council has received approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to proceed with a €11.5m public realm regeneration of Ennis town centre.
A funding allocation totalling €8,576,920 has been approved for the Ennis Public Realm Regeneration Project under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), with 25% match funding from Clare County Council, and will result in significant enhancements being made to the streetscape of O’Connell Square, O’Connell Street, High Street, Bank Place, Old Barrack Street and Barrack Square.
The project works follow on from the successful delivery of significant public realm enhancements at Parnell Street, and town laneways, and bow-ways in 2020 and 2021.
Barrack Square and Old Barrack St will be developed as a ‘café quarter’ which is proposed to deliver a higher-quality civic space encouraging people to meet, relax and avail of local retail. O’Connell Square, High Street and O’Connell Street will become more attractive to pedestrians through the delivery of an expanded plaza incorporating seating and planting, an interactive public fountain and a removable marquee at ‘The Height’.
Part VIII planning permission has already been secured for all phases of the project following an extensive period of public consultation. It is anticipated that the project will proceed to construction stage during the final quarter of 2023 following further consultation with local businesses and it will coincide with major foul sewer rehabilitation works in the town centre by Uisce Éireann.
Cllr. Pat Daly, Mayor of Ennis, described the project as “a transformational development” for the largest town in Munster.
“An attractive town centre of Ennis can contribute significantly to its competitiveness from a retail and economic growth perspective,” Mayor Daly said.
“The benefits of an enhanced public realm include improved accessibility, increased pedestrian footfall, street activity and property value, and a longer stay by shoppers and visitors. It also enhances community pride and sense of place and complements the work of active community groups who strive to make the town a better place for all to enjoy,” he added.
The next step will be for Clare County Council to appoint the successful contractor, with the project set to be completed on a phased basis over an 18-month timeframe.
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