New era for Carrick-on-Shannon with market yard and tennis club redevelopments

Carrick-on-Shannon marked a major milestone last week with the official opening of the newly redeveloped Market Yard and upgrades at Carrick-on-Shannon Tennis Club, two projects funded through the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary TD officially launched the Market Yard, praising it as a vibrant new civic hub for the town. MRD Chairman Gerry Murtagh reflected on the journey that began over 30 years ago. “This derelict Market Yard was purchased in trust for the people of Carrick-on-Shannon by MRD in 1991,” he said. “What we have here today would not have happened without the significant sums allocated under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.” The €1 million redevelopment has transformed the Yard into a lively centre for artisan businesses, multicultural events, and farmers' markets. Future plans include hosting outdoor theatre, concerts, and establishing a tourist information point.

Murtagh also called for urgent action to revive Carrick's town centre following the closure of the local post office. “Footfall has absolutely collapsed, which is having a detrimental effect on retailers,” he warned.

Across town at Carrick-on-Shannon Tennis Club, Director Shane Keaney outlined the vital impact of the latest investment. “Tennis has been here since 1887. We have between 150 and 200 members, and run children's camps with up to 30 kids on court,” he said. “But until now, we had no toilets or shower facilities — you can imagine how difficult that can be with 20 children on the courts.”

Plans for the new clubhouse have been carefully designed to blend into the landscape along the River Shannon. “We had to really think about the visual impact,” Keaney said. “It will be built at ground level to keep it sympathetic to the surroundings.”

Both projects are seen as important steps toward revitalising Carrick-on-Shannon's community and town centre life.

READ MORE In the Clouds of the Night: The story of my missing Leitrim cousins