Large turnout to view ambitious regeneration plans for Tullamore and harbour

A large and steady stream of enthusiastic people attended the open day at Tullamore Library to view draft plans for the Tullamore Regeneration Framework and the Tullamore Harbour Masterplan.

The event took place on Thursday June 20. Members of the public were invited to give their views and thoughts on the proposals which have the potential to transform the town.

Chief Executive Officer with Offaly County Council Anna Marie Delaney expressed her delight with the success of the event and said she and her team were very happy with the plans.

She said they had worked very closely with the architects Brady Shipman Martin/Faulkner Browns architects and with Grafton Architects. ''We were very ambitious,'' she said.

Ms Delaney emphasised that when the public consultation period is over then the priority will be to secure funding for the various proposed projects. She pointed out that some of the proposals could be implemented quite quickly.

Key figures such as Senior Executive Officer Jean Ryan and Orla Martin Head of Enterprise at the local Enterprise office were also there. Both were heavily involved in the draft plans along with other members of the team.

Jean Ryan said the Tullamore Greenway Project and the Tanyard to High Street link will be starting soon so people can seen that things are happening. Orla Martin said the proposals could be a way of attracting new business into the town.

Architect Aisling Cleary of Faulkner Browns said she had walked through all parts of the town. She was very much taken with the number of laneways in Tullamore, such as Gas House Lane, Ball Alley Lane and Durrow Lane and the hidden potential buried there.

The proposals for the lanes include the potential to reinforce the pedestrian linkages and ''enhance laneways by creating unique visual experiences through quality materials, furniture and lighting.''

Aisling was also impressed by the large swathes of land at Tullamore Railway Station where the proposal is to create a high density and multi-residential development with the potential for a mobility/public transport hub at the station.

Aisling also displayed proposals for lands behind the courthouse where the plan is to retain the majority of commercial uses on the site at Kilcruttin Business Park and reinforcing this future use. To the north end of the site interior, a ''new residential infill development of terrace housing is proposed, increasing the density of the block.''

Also on display was the Harbour Masterplan which was drawn up by Grafton Architects which is headed up by Yvonne Farrell from Tullamore. Ms Farrell was also present at the open day.

The aspirations here are for the harbour to be unveiled for public discovery and heritage appreciation from behind existing high walls; Be transformed to become an attractive waterfront space for residents, citizens, enterprises, and visitors; Become the catalyst that unlocks economic and social regeneration opportunities; Be accessible for walking and cycling with connectivity to a 131km Grand Canal Greenway; Provide on and off water recreational activities; Become a key destination for boaters journeying from throughout the inland waterways network on the island.

One suggestion is for the harbour to become a home for water-culture and education.

This proposal states, ''the Harbour is located strategically on both the Grand Canal network as well as an educational cluster in Tullamore. There is an opportunity to redevelop the site as a home for water culture and education in addition to other uses. There is already a well established culture of water sports and recreation in Tullamore and the Midlands. This adds another layer of activity and public use to the Harbour, enhancing its vitality and vibrancy, changing perceptions of the Harbour from being something currently not in the public’s consciousness, to a focal point in Tullamore. This enhances its attractiveness and value.''

The Tullamore Grand Canal Harbour Masterplan and Tullamore Regeneration Framework is available for inspection in the offices of Offaly County Council, Áras an Chontae, Tullamore Municipal District, Tullamore Library during normal office hours until July 112024.

Submissions or observations may be made in writing to Tullamore Municipal District, Town Hall, Cormac Street, Tullamore or submitted via email to tullamoremd@offalycoco.ie on or before July 25 2024.