Birr Market Square rejuvenation plans progressing

Plans for the regeneration of Birr's Market Square are moving forward following a positive reaction towards the project from local residents.

Councillor Sean Maher told the Offaly Independent that several meetings on the project were organised by Birr 20:20 Vision with local residents, with the last meeting taking place about a month ago.

He said there was “no negative response” in any of the meetings in relation to the plans, which will seek to improve pedestrian access and involve “substantial amount of money being invested in the area”.

Cllr Maher said work on another project on William Street at the entrance to Birr Castle, which has already been tendered, will take place before work on Market Square gets underway later in 2025.

Councillor Peter Ormond also said residents were happy with the proposal, and that “the only request was to get a market set up in that area” to encourage more public engagement.

He said that, while the market would mean some parking spaces will be lost, it would “take place for a couple of hours on a Saturday” and perhaps on another day during the week.

“Parking is one element, but the main objective is to bring life back into that part of town,” he said.

He added that there were alternative options available for parking.

Cllr Ormond said the next step would be to appoint a contractor to carry out the works, and that the project should go to tender soon.

“The project is moving on the whole time,” he commented, saying the development should not take more than a couple of months to complete.

“Disruption will be kept to a minimum, as we are conscious of businesses operating in that part of town.”

Offaly County Council was awarded €250,000 in December 2022 for the “development of a plaza at Market Square in Birr to create an outdoor meeting and recreational space in the town centre that can facilitate outdoor dining and where pedestrian activity will be a priority”.

The funding was awarded by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.