€500k project to transform the centre of Bagenalstown
Minister of state Jennifer Murnane O'Connor cuts the ribbon to officially launch the new public realm improvements in Bagenalstown. Also pictured are cllr Tommy Kinsella, cathaoirleach of Muinebeag Municipal District, Jimmy Doyle (Bagenalstown Town Team), Linda Culleton (Carlow Local Enterprise Office), Padraig OGorman (director of services, Carlow County Council), Jim Woods (Carlow County Council), Emad Gharib (Carlow County Council), Peter 'Chap' Cleere TD, Noel Dillon (Carlow County Council), cllr Andy Gladney and cllr Michael Doran Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie
A NEW €500,000 project set to transform Bagenalstown town centre was launched last week. The funding is part of the national Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which is aimed at driving town-centre regeneration and supporting town or village centre development.
Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, minister of state at the Department of Health with special responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and the National Drugs Strategy, cut the ribbon on the Muinebheag project.
“I am delighted to open this €500,000 investment under the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme,” said the minister.
“This initiative is all about giving our local communities, such as Muinebheag, the tools to rejuvenate the centres of towns and villages. Through this funding we are providing a public realm that will benefit communities in Muinebheag for generations to come,” said minister Murnane O’Connor.
“By doing so, we will help to drive footfall into Muinebheag town centre, increase tourism and, above all, make Muinebheag an even better place to live, work, invest, visit and raise a family.
“I am delighted with the projects which we have been able to support under this initiative and I look forward to further developing towns and villages throughout Co Carlow,” she said.
Commenting on the project, cllr Tommy Kinsella, cathaoirleach of Muinebheag MD, said: “I am delighted with the use of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme funds to rejuvenate Muinebheag’s town centre. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme continues to have a hugely positive impact in Carlow’s rural towns and villages and this investment will further strengthen this work.
“This project provides a wonderful amenity for Muinebheag and Co Carlow. It will bring renewed life to the town centre and has been cleverly designed to maximise its use by all.”
Padraig O’Gorman, director of services with Carlow County Council, said: “Rural development continues to be a key priority for Carlow County Council and we will continue to support the revitalisation and resilience of rural Carlow, transforming our towns and villages – creating better places to live, work and participate in their local community. Projects such as the Muinebheag Public Realm Works highlight what can be achieved by Carlow County Council through the innovative use of funding available through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.”
