Banba Sq could be transformed into a pedestrian plaza and arts and events hub
Plans for a significant revamp of the area around the Nenagh Town Hall/Arts Centre building were revealed last week.
Aimed at making the area more pedestrian-friendly, better suited to civic events at Banba Square and closer linked with the town's historic quarter, the plans are to stem from the opening of a new and permanent tourist office next year.
Nenagh Municipal District is preparing to open the office on the Banba Square side of the former town hall building. The office will be located in two rooms that have been used by Foróige in recent years. It is intended that Foróige will move to the former motor tax office on the square.
Arising from this, MND is planning to increase the civic space at Banba Square for events taking place there, such as the annual switching on of the Christmas lights. This includes a proposal to remove the railings around the monument in the square, though the monument itself would not be touched. New seating would be added to the square, which would become better linked with the arts centre.
Briefing members of the district at their November meeting, Director Marcus O'Connor said there are plans for a raised area around the centre so as to make it more pedestrian-friendly. There would be a loss of four or five car-parking spaces outside the centre, opposite the courthouse.
There are also plans to replace the gravel area around the arts centre building with better quality paving slabs. As well as making the precint more attractive, this would improve access to Nenagh Castle from the arts centre side. Mr O'Connor added that a wheelchair entrance to the tourist office would also be provided. Further plans included the undergrounding of cabes on the castle side, as well as the provision of a public-access wifi facility.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Joe Hannigan (Ind) described the news as a “major boost for Nenagh”. He said the new tourist office would go a long way towards helping Nenagh to achieve 'Destination Town' status and it would help promote Lough Derg and its hinterland.
Cllr Hannigan queried whether the office would be open in time for the 2020 tourism season. He also suggested improving the area's laneway link with Pearse St.
Cllr Séamus Morris (Ind) said ligthing up Nenagh Castle at night would complement the plan. This should be costed, he said, especially in view of the castle's 800th anniversary celebrations next year.
Cllrs Ger Darcy (FG) and Michael O'Meara (Ind) cautioned against narrowing the street between the arts centre and courthouse. They pointed out that the street can get very busy and they did not want to add to traffic congestion in the area.
Cllr Phyll Bugler (FG) questioned whether the rooms in the old town hall building would be large enough to accommodate the tourist office and the number of visitors it could expect.
Mr O'Connor replied that the space is large enough for the planned office, which will have a tourism officer as well as an exhibition on the town, the lake, North Tipperary and Ireland's Hidden Heartlands. He confirmed that the tourist office would be open all-year-round, a welcome departure from the previous situation when the office was only open seasonally and constantly changed location. It is hoped to have the office open at some stage in the tourism season next year.
Mr O'Connor revealed further plans to install separate LED lighting shining on the old town hall building. These would be able to change colour in a manner previously proposed for the castle, but rejected by the OPW.
Mr O'Connor said there would be no narrowing of the street outside the building in that the plan is to take only from the indented parking section. There would be no narrowing of the junction with Kickham St.
Mr O'Connor said the plans depend on the passing of a public consultation process. An application for funding under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme is also being made. The plans will be put on public display in the next month or so and discussed further in January or February, the director said.