Green light For €11.5 million for Ennis regeneration

THE DEPARTMENT of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has approved a €11.5m public realm regeneration of Ennis town centre.

The regeneration will see significant enhancements being made to O’Connell Square, O’Connell Street, High Street, Bank Place, Old Barrack Street and Barrack Square. 

A funding allocation totalling €8,576,920 has been approved for the Ennis Public Realm Regeneration Project under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), with 25% match funding from Clare County Council.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Pat Daly, described the project as “a transformational development” for the largest town in Munster.

“An attractive town centre of Ennis can contribute significantly to its competitiveness from a retail and economic growth perspective,” Mayor Daly said. 

“The benefits of an enhanced public realm include improved accessibility, increased pedestrian footfall, street activity and property value, and a longer stay by shoppers and visitors. It also enhances community pride and sense of place and complements the work of active community groups who strive to make the town a better place for all to enjoy.”

The project works follow on from the successful delivery of significant public realm enhancements at Parnell Street, and town laneways bow-ways in 2020 and 2021.  Barrack Square and Old Barrack St will be developed as a ‘café quarter’ which is proposed to deliver a higher-quality civic space encouraging people to meet, relax and avail of local retail. O’Connell Square, High Street and O’Connell Street will become more attractive to pedestrians through the delivery of an expanded plaza incorporating seating and planting, an interactive public fountain and a removable marquee at ‘The Height’.

“This project is required to address the identified issues and to deliver a balance between the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles while retaining the historic character and supporting commercial activity,” explained Carmel Kirby, Director of Economic Development and Ennis MD. “The result will be a safer and more attractive pedestrian environment and spaces that can also have a civic function, facilitating the Town Centre as a destination, improving its vitality and enabling Ennis to capitalise on its existing assets.”

Part VIII planning permission has been secured for all phases of the project following an extensive period of public consultation. 

The project is anticipated to proceed to construction stage by the end of 2023 following further consultation with local businesses. The project will also coincide with major foul sewer rehabilitation works in the town centre by Uisce Éireann.

Clare County Council will proceed to appoint the successful contractor. The Ennis Public Realm Regeneration Project will be completed on a phased basis over an 18-month timeframe.