Green light for new 500-seat South Longford outdoor music and entertainment amphitheatre

A new outdoor community amphitheatre for Lanesboro has received planning permission and local councillors have warmly welcomed the development and said it will provide a welcome boost for the arts sector and attract visitors.

An Coimisiúin Pleanála confirmed they had approved the 500-seater music and entertainment venue project that was put forward by Longford County Council.

The new amenity will be located at the former council depot at Commons North Quarry in Lanesboro and the development will now be put forward for EU Just Transition Funding.

Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Sean Mimnagh said there is 'something really special about seeing this project finally get the green light'.

He added: "What was once a disused quarry in Commons North is now set to become a place where people can come together, enjoy music, and much more and to make memories in a truly unique setting.

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"The natural beauty of the quarry gives it a character you simply couldn’t recreate anywhere else, and it feels like the perfect fit for Lanesborough—a town with a strong sense of community and a growing energy around events and tourism, something I have been pushing really hard towards since I was elected to the council.

"This isn’t just about a venue, it’s about what it can bring to the whole area.

"More visitors, more life in the town, and more opportunities for local businesses and artists alike. It’s about giving people another reason to stop, stay a while, and experience what makes "Lanesborough and the surrounding areas so special.

"Projects like this only happen because people care enough to keep pushing for them, and that community spirit is what will make it a success in the years ahead."

Independent Councillor Mark Casey said the planning approval is 'great news' and it will enable them to apply for funding for the project.

Cllr Casey praised Bridget Flood, the secretary of the Longford Development Association, for being the 'brainchild' of the project.

"We were working on a committee in the local summer school, and we would have had concerts down there, but she came up with this idea of a more permanent fixture, that we could have concerts down there on a regular basis. "

Cllr Casey said it will be very natural and designed to fit in with the surrounding hinterland.

"We'll be able to look out onto the lake from there, you have the stone quarry with its natural amphitheatre shape, and we will be trying to be as innovative as possible in terms of the environment.

"We will try and keep it very natural, like what they did in Ballykeefe, county Kilkenny.

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"And we'll have anything from plays to music, to comedians, it would be very good for local triathlons when they come, any sort of local festival.

"It will bring people to the area, it'll be a huge tourist attraction."

Cllr Casey said they will be looking for funding for this under Just Transition, which is a good source of funding for them.

"Longford County Council will have have to come with some matched funding but not as much, about 20%.

Cllr Casey said the Just Transition funding, will that cover 80% of it or 100% or how much of the project will it cover?

Longford County Council will have to come with some matched funding, but not as much, about 20% extra funding, but we have ring-fenced money for this already in Longford County Council.

"I suppose that [challenge] was to come up with a design that's suitable for everyone and everyone thought was nice.

"And now we have the planning done, so now we just have to get the funding."