Sod-turning ceremony brings Tullow Road Community Hub one step closer
Cllr Fergal Browne cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council and cllr Fintan Phelan mayor of Carlow turn the sod on the Tullow Road Multi-Functional Community Hub, also pictured Pat Doyle site foreman, PJ Leonard director of services, Anthony Quinn Ailtirí Architects, Michael Brennan director of services, Barry Knowles senior executive engineer, Michael Duggan Duggan Lynch and Darren Steed contracts manager Duggan Lynch Photo: michaelorourkephotography.ie
A SIGNIFICENT milestone was enjoyed this week in Carlow town as the Tullow Road community came together to turn the sod on their new €4.6m multi-functional community hub.
Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council cllr Fergal Browne and mayor of Carlow Municipal District cllr Fintan Phelan turned the sod to mark the commencement of work at the site.
The cathaoirleach and mayor were joined by minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, local councillors, director of services Michael Brennan, staff of Carlow County Council, Michael Duggan of Duggan Lynch Contractors, Anthony Quinn, Ailtirí Architects and community members to celebrate the event.
The €4.6m Tullow Road Multi-Functional Community Hub will be a shared multi-functional resource with universal access, which will facilitate new and existing supports and services, catering for physical, social and community needs.
The facility will incorporate various spaces, including a community hall, kitchen, coffee dock, multi-functional rooms, consulting rooms, a maker space, lobby meeting area, reception, office accommodation, storage rooms and all the necessary equipment for accessibility.
The project will include the provision of a new access point from the distributor road via a roundabout, internal access road, parking, drainage, fencing, landscaping, external and play/outdoor space.
The building is designed to be nZEB i.e. carbon neutral and it will be enhanced by the provision of active travel and green infrastructure.
“I’m thrilled to see construction commencing on what promises to be a fantastic facility for our community,” said cathaoirleach cllr Fergal Browne.
“This milestone reflects the strong collaboration between local councillors and residents, and there’s a shared sense of excitement as we look forward to its completion.” Mayor cllr Fintan Phelan described the facility for the Tullow Road is as “a gamechanger and will benefit the communities for years to come”.
“It stands as a testament to what can be achieved when the local authority, local representatives and community members work hand in hand towards a shared vision of progress and inclusion,” he said.
Minister Murnane O’Connor said the hub is about building “stronger, more vibrant communities –places where people feel connected, supported, and proud to call home.” Michael Brennan, director of services with Carlow County Council, said the local authority is delighted to be part of this exciting project in collaboration with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Carlow Regional Youth Services and the community.
The project is grant funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development & Gaeltacht under the Community Centres Investment Fund 2023. The contractor for the project is Duggan Lynch, and design consultants for the project are Ailtirí.
