Historic building in town centre in Tipperary to be purchased by council

The former Parkes chemist in Gladstone Street, Clonmel, is to be purchased by Tipperary County Council.

District Administrator Carol Creighton told a meeting of Clonmel Borough District that funding for the purchase of the former chemist and opticians, which closed many years ago, had been guaranteed, and the council would be proceeding to purchase as soon as possible. 

In a written report to the meeting, she said that plans for the future development of the property are also underway to ensure that the acquisition of such a building by the council will contribute to the overall corporate objective of continuing to enhance and protect the built heritage in Tipperary.

She said it is also part of the objective to work in partnership with key stakeholders to deliver a high quality heritage service that will serve the people of Tipperary and attract visitors to the county.

"This unique property with its rich and diverse cultural features will help to nurture lifelong learning," Ms Creighton added.

Cllr Pat English said it would be great to see the building in the ownership of the town itself.

Cllr Siobhán Ambrose said it would be lovely for people to be able to go in and see the building.

The building is a protected structure and its importance had been noted on a British data base, she said.

Cllr Richie Molloy said it was a fabulous building and he was delighted with this announcement. He wondered if it would be developed into a mini museum.

He was also pleased that it would be purchased in negotiations with the owners and not by means of a CPO (Compulsory Purchase Order). 

The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, run by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, has documented the building as “a notable feature on the streetscape” in Clonmel.

It noted that “the well-crafted and designed shopfront is an unusual feature in a town whose shopfronts are largely recent and, along with the cast iron railings, adds considerable artistic interest to the site”.