Formation of new group in Tipperary has put 'a spring in people's steps'

The establishment of the Clonmel Town Team to revitalise and regenerate the town centre had created “a real spirit of positivity” around the town that he hadn’t noticed since becoming a council member 14 years ago, Cllr Michael Murphy told a meeting of Clonmel Borough District.

He predicted that the cooperation involved in the various groups that formed the Town Team, working with Tipperary County Council, would take Clonmel to the next level.

He said that a couple of days previously he had been contacted by the owner of a significant vacant property in Clonmel who lived abroad and had no knowledge of the various support schemes that were available, but who was now engaging with the various agencies in relation to the property.

Cllr Murphy said that he and his colleagues had worked tirelessly to improve the town and they saw the fruits of their work in the establishment of the sports hub, the first phase of the redevelopment of the Kickham Barracks, the Suir Blueway, the new town bus service and the plans for the Suir Island amenity park.

However there were also challenges, such as the vacant properties in the town centre, and he also hoped there would be a review of the town’s parking by-laws.

Speaking after the meeting had been addressed by Noel Buckley, Chairperson of the recently-formed Town Team, and Áine McCarthy, Town Regeneration Officer with Tipperary County Council, District Mayor Richie Molloy said that people asking “what could be done with the town centre” was the bane of their lives.

He said that everyone had to pull together and he referred to the positive theme of the first public meeting called by the Town Team to discuss vacant properties in Clonmel.

The Mayor thanked the Town Team for the work it was doing on a voluntary basis.

Cllr John FitzGerald said that the Town Team had captured the right mood. He said it was separate from the council and yet it was united with the council.

He said he was really excited about what 2024 would bring and he predicted they would see progress in the coming months.
There was a feeling of progress in the town and a lot of people who had attended the recent public meeting in relation to vacant properties had come away with something from that meeting.

Cllr Niall Dennehy said he welcomed the formation of the Town Team and he fully supported its objectives. He also said it was important to look back at why we were here and he said funding was a big issue.

He said it was a pity they didn’t have access to the discretionary funding that they had when Clonmel had a Corporation, and this was a big factor in what had happened to the town.

Cllr Dennehy said he would still argue that Clonmel had no affinity with Nenagh and the mid west region and instead it should rekindle its economic relationship with Waterford and the south east region.

He said he was looking forward to working with Team Clonmel and he welcomed the long-awaited redevelopment of the former Clonmel Arms Hotel.

Cllr Siobhán Ambrose wished the group well and said there were exciting times ahead. For years the level of funding hadn’t been available but now doors were really opening. She said there was a lot of potential in outdoor activities.

Cllr Pat English said they would work as a team and the more on the team the better.

District Manager Sinead Carr agreed there was a spring in people’s steps about what could be achieved. A lot of this was because of the work done by past and present councillors and previous groups such as Clonmel’s retail forum, which had made a very significant contribution and got things done despite the fact there was little funding available.

She said it wasn’t easy for the Town Team to step into that space and its members were doing so on a voluntary basis, but she was aware of the level of work being carried out.