Nenagh Municipal District achievements 2018

Working with the community

In recognition of the contribution made by communities across the district, funding was allocated in 2018 to 72 clubs and organisations, 33 residents associations, 29 festivals and events, 28 Tidy Towns Committees and 68 burial grounds committees within the Nenagh Municipal District. We applaud the efforts of these groups to maintain, enhance and develop their areas in the interests of making them better places in which to live, work and visit.  
The special contribution made by Nenagh Special Summer Camp over the past 30 years was recognised through the members according them a Civic Reception in October.  
We congratulate all the Tidy Towns Committees on the continuous improvements being achieved as demonstrated by the increased marks awarded in the national SuperValu Tidy Towns Competition. In the Nenagh Municipal District, Terryglass and Birdhill achieved gold medals, Silvermines a silver medal while Nenagh town received a bronze medal.  The Nenagh achievement was further underpinned by the announcement that the town had been declared ‘Cleaner than European Norms’ and second cleanest of the 40 towns surveyed in the IBAL Anti-Litter League, summer 2018.
Arising from their success as overall national winners in the 2017 Tidy Towns Competition, Birdhill were nominated to represent Ireland and were awarded the International Award for Best Floral Display at the Communities in Bloom Awards in Strathcona County, Alberta. They also received five blooms and a bronze medal with a special commendation for the Community Park.
An example of co-operation across both county and national boundaries was the progression of twinning arrangements between Ballina-Killaloe and Basse-Goulaine, France.
 
Specific Projects

Gill's Garden is a medieval garden currently under development adjacent to Nenagh Castle in the historic and cultural quarter of the town. During 2018 the masonry works required were completed and the landscaping contract is currently underway and will be completed early in 2019.  
This was not our only gardening project! October saw the official opening of the Garden of Remembrance in Cloughjordan as part of the 2016 commemorations in the village renowned as the birthplace of Thomas MacDonagh.  
Improvement of the laneways of Nenagh continued with the allocation of funding under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme by the Department of Rural and Community Development, which allowed the completion of enhancement works at Lewis Lane.
Under the Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Scheme, a walking trail at Townlough was completed, thus adding to the facilities available across the district.
The excellence of our Nenagh Leisure Centre was recognised when it was presented in November with an Outstanding National Quality Standard Award from Ireland Active for 2019.

Roads

A number of significant roads projects within the Nenagh Municipal District were progressed through the Roads section during the year, including the signing of contracts for N52 Borrisokane street improvement works and for the R498 road widening at Knockalton.  
The multi-utility Ervia project in Nenagh town is now drawing to a close. This project represents a significant investment in the town in water, wastewater and natural gas. Further investment in the town will be achieved with the rollout by Siro of connections to their 100% fibre optic gigabit broadband network and the implementation of the Nenagh Traffic Management Plan.  
2018 was a year of extremes in terms of weather conditions and it was a key priority for the staff of Nenagh Municipal District to provide the appropriate responses to the various weather events, and to ensure as much restoration work as possible was carried out in the aftermath.
 
Tourism & Promotion

The Nenagh Municipal District has a wealth of potential in terms of tourism with its strategic location on the shores of Lough Derg. The launch of the ‘Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands’ brand by Fáilte Ireland is of significant importance to the district and the many lakeside towns and villages.  

Business Community

One of our key values is the strength of the business sector across the district. They provide employment, services and a spin-off benefit for the community. Nenagh Municipal District continues to work with the business community across the district through engagement, consultation and provision of infrastructure. There is continuous engagement with Nenagh & District Chamber of Commerce and one of the highlights of 2018 was the visit of the Bank of Ireland National Enterprise Town adjudicators to Nenagh.  

Conclusion

Cllr Mattie Ryan, Cathaoirleach of Nenagh Municipal District, welcomed all that had been achieved in 2018 and said: “I look forward to working with the staff, members and communities in 2019 so that together we can ensure that 2019 is an even better year for the Nenagh district, of which we are justifiably proud.”