Town centre plan for Carlow comes another step closer

THE “transformative” Carlow town centre plan took a decisive step forward last week, heralding the way for a fresh new look for the town centre.

At the May meeting, members of Carlow County Council passed the Part 8 for this extensive regeneration project with two small amendments. Part 8 allows for the application of planning permission for projects by local authorities and is a vital step in pushing the project forward.

Directive of services Padraig O’Gorman stated that the ‘Carlow Town Centre Public Realm and Pedestrian Linkage Regeneration Project’ has been described as “transformative” and a “game changer”. He outlined the processes that had brought the project to this stage, including public consultation and submissions along with a “comprehensive chief executive’s report”.

“It has taken a long time to get to this stage, appointing a design team and developing it, but we believe this is the best way forward for Carlow town centre,” said Mr O’Gorman.

Cathaoirleach cllr Fergal Browne suggested an amendment that would allow for a “left turn out of Dempsey’s Hardware on Tullow Street, reducing the need for trucks and heavy vehicles to travel into Tullow Street and Potato Market”.

Cllr Fintan Phelan proposed the Part 8, remarking that as members they are consistently hearing from the public about what’s happening in the town centre and the need for more investment.

“This is doing something that will make this become a reality. It’s a strong, concrete plan that welcomes investments and give a real sense of place in our town centre,” he said.

Cllr Phelan then suggested an amendment and called for additional parking at the Shamrock Plaza end of Tullow Street, “particularly near the doctor’s surgery and pharmacy”.

Cllr Ken Murnane seconded the proposal, adding that the plan “ticks a lot of boxes” and complimented the council executive on “doing a great job”.

“When will we see this evolve … I’m sick to death hearing about URDF, because we haven’t seen anything happening yet, except maybe a few small projects,” fumed cllr John Cassin. “We need this to happened very soon”.

Cllr Cassin also alluded to a High Court case that affects the town centre plan.

Cllr Andrea Dalton said she concurred with cllr Phelan regarding the need for disability parking and parking for older persons at Upper Tullow Street.

Welcoming the plan, cllr Paul Doogue insisted that we “need to get up and going with this” and also asked if the Liberty Tree was “staying where it is”.

Chief executive Coilín O’Reilly remarked that while he understands the frustrations of people, there is a proper process in place that the council has to go through.

“We have to go through the design stage, we have to go through the consultation stage, we have to go through the planning stage,” he said.

Mr O’Reilly suggested “early 2026” for work to begin, but also warned that for two years it would be “a building site in the centre of the town”.

“But that’s the price we’ll have to pay. There is a lot of hard work to be done,” he said, adding that arrangements will be made with businesses, particularly during periods like Christmas.

“We will stick with it and we will get it done,” he assured members.

Mr O’Reilly said that the Liberty Tree is “outside the scope” of the plan. He confirmed there is an “ongoing issue there and an ongoing High Court case”.

“I will brief the councillors ‘in camera’ [in a closed session without the press present], but the case is ongoing and not something that can be discussed in the public forum,” said the chief executive.

The plan, including the amendments, was then put before the members for a roll-call vote, with all members voting in favour.