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Ennis Public Realm Regeneration

The second phase of the Ennis Public Realm Regeneration Project represents a significant investment by Clare County Council and government to make the town a more attractive location to visit and live, to enhance accessibility for all and to encourage continued and future investment in Munster's largest town.

Under the €11.6m scheme, the streets (O'Connell Street, High Street and Bank Place) will become more accessible by replacing conventional streetscapes with shared surface pavements.

Squares and civic spaces (O'Connell Square, Barrack Square, Cathedral) will be transformed through the delivery of expanded plazas incorporating urban planting, street trees, an interactive public fountain, and provision for performance /event spaces at the Height and at Barrack Square. Barrack Square and Old Barrack Street will be developed as a 'café quarter', which will deliver a higher-quality civic space encouraging people to meet, relax and avail of local retail.

The project's advancement to construction stage has followed years of extensive planning and consultation with the business community, residents, public and elected members.

 Scheduled to be completed in late 2025, the works follow the successful delivery of significant public realm enhancements at Parnell Street, and town laneways, and bow-ways in 2020 and 2021.

 Significant sections of the project are scheduled for completion in 2024, including:

  • O'Connell Street (Barrack Street to Carmody Street)
  • High Street
  • O'Connell Street (Market Street to Station Road)
  • O'Connell Square 

 

Ennis is open for business

Ennis town centre remains fully open for business as work continues on one of the largest public infrastructure projects ever to be undertaken in Ennis.

Works to enhance the streetscape of High Street, Bank Place, O'Connell Square, O'Connell Street, Old Barrack Street and Barrack Square commenced in late October.

Clare County Council says pedestrian and service access is being facilitated at all times during the works and is encouraging the public to support town centre business during the construction phase.

Mayor of Ennis Councillor Pat Daly said, "Ennis has a fantastic reputation as a shopping destination. The public realm works will further strengthen the town's status as a destination to shop, dine and stay and, importantly for town centre businesses, will improve accessibility, and increase pedestrian footfall and street activity throughout the year.

Mayor Daly noted how the resilience shown by the town centre business community during the pandemic, combined with the public's positive response to the 'Shop Local' message was needed once again.

"It's important that the wider public across County Clare and beyond continue to support local businesses during the construction stage of this important project for our county town," added Mayor Daly.

Communication and supports

The appointed contractor, Shareridge has assigned a Public Liaison Officer (PLO) to the project.

Based in the town centre project office, the PLO is engaging extensively with affected parties as the works progress and in advance of the commencement of each work phase.

Clare County Council is encouraging the public and traders to take every opportunity to meet with the project team to ensure that their needs are communicated, and disruption is minimised wherever possible.

The contractor and design team are also convening fortnightly drop-in meetings, as well as issuing weekly progress update bulletins. Affected / interested parties are invited to email ennispublicrealm@shareridge.ie should they wish to be added to mailing list.

The erection of construction fencing along the town's streets are necessary to allow the works proceed whilst ensuring that the highest safety standards are maintained throughout the busy construction period.

Carmel Kirby, Director of Economic Development and Ennis Municipal District commented, "Clare County Council acknowledges how major civil and infrastructural works of this nature will bring disruption and inconvenience to us all."

Ms. Kirby continued, "However, the longer-term benefits in terms of user amenity and accessibility will far outweigh the shorter-term inconvenience and the continued cooperation and support of the public, residents and traders is greatly appreciated."

Consumer-facing business in Ennis were recently provided with expert retail, merchandising and marketing advice through a support programme organised by Clare County Council.

The programme was established to support businesses in dealing with any disruption that may arise as a result of ongoing work to deliver the Ennis Public Realm Regeneration Strategy.

 

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Page last reviewed: 11/03/24

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