Projects identified in Offaly town's ambitious plan now coming to fruition

PROJECTS identified within the Clara Town Centre First Plan are now coming to fruition, a statement from the group has announced..

In late 2025, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Minister Dara Calleary, announced that Clara had been allocated €50,000 to engage the professional services required to develop the design of a town centre backland site in Clara up to planning stage.

This development directly addresses Project 12 of the Town Centre First Plan (Town Centre Parking Location).

The backland site at Bridge Street has the potential to open connections and permeability which will connect Bridge Street, Egan’s Lane and Main Street.

This future development can provide must needed off street parking for Clara Town Centre, once developed, it will provide parking for over 60 cars, relieving congestion on Main Street and River Street and enabling the free flow of traffic through the town.

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Clara Town Team in partnership with Offaly County Council will now commence the design phase of this project and prepare for planning.

It is envisaged that a capital TVR project can develop for this site with a future grant application for the funding to carry out the works.

Importantly, this development will act as a catalyst for several other Town Centre First projects, including Project 1: Townscape Project, Project 2: River Walk, and Project 12: Main Street Connections.

Currently, the Clara Town Centre First Team is working in partnership with Offaly County Council on four key projects from the Town Centre First Plan:

Project 4: Former Co-op Building

Project 6: Town Centre Parking Location

Project 9: Railway Greenway

Project 12: Main Street Connections. In addition, background work has commenced on a further three projects

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The statement added: "Well done to the Clara Town Centre First Team for their continued hard work, and to the many community groups who work in tandem with the team to support these initiatives.

"A huge thank you is also due to Olwen Cummins, the Clara Town Regeneration Officer, and her team at Offaly County Council for their work in securing the funds and their tremendous work in ensuring that Clara’s Town Centre First Plan continues to move from vision to reality."