Ennis is going back to the future with a €5 million regeneration of its mediaeval lanes spearheading a series of developments to enhance its attraction as a national tourist destination.
That’s according to Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey who has confirmed that Clare County Council will receive €1.4 million for Public Realm Regeneration of Parnell Street under the Government’s Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF).
The project will also include renovation work on the lanes and bow ways in the medieval core of Ennis.
“This project was submitted for consideration by Clare County Council and has an overall cost of €5 million to transformation this historic part of our county town.
“As the local TD, I am delighted that Ennis is one of the flagship projects included in the first round of funding under the scheme,” Deputy Carey said.
“Along with two other projects, Ennis will also share in a development funding allocation of €881,500 for the redesign of Barrack Square, Old Barrack Street and O’Connell Square. The purpose of this allocation is to make it shovel-ready as a category one project for inclusion in the next round of funding.
“I have also been making strong representations for the Croí Na Sionna – Civic, Cultural and Community Venue for Shannon and although it wasn’t included in this round, it will be one of five projects to share a €2.7 million allocation to put it in a position to be considered for category one funding.
“The URDF is intended to drive regeneration of strategic and under-utilised areas with €100 million available for expenditure in 2019 from an overall allocation of €2 billion for the ten-year duration of the National Development Plan,” Deputy Carey explained.
“This fund is about backing better and more coordinated planning for future generations in a way that meets the needs of our growing population and economy more sustainably. With this fund, we can choose a better way to live and work, rather than creating more commuting and urban sprawl”
“The funding will serve as a catalyst for development that would not otherwise occur and it is likely to leverage significant further public and private sector investment,” Deputy Carey concluded.
