Roscrea's Town Team update - the future of Grant's Hotel, Roscrea's 'River Rooms' and creating a new street

Roscrea's Town First development plan is gainining momentum and exploring the future of Grant's Hotel on Castle Street, capitalising on the benefits of the new Digital Hub and the transformation of Gantly Road into a fully-fledged street are some of the projects on their radar at the moment. 

The Town Team was delighted to announce the approval of €50,000 in funding from the Towns and Villages Renewal Scheme for the development of a comprehensive plan to enhance the town's main greenspace and amenity area,  Glebe Park by the banks of the Moneen River. 

Brian King, Chair of the Roscrea Town Team, submitted the funding application in February of this year, and the news of the successful application was delivered following the most recent Town Team meeting.

Speaking this week, Brian King noted that the submission makes it clear that this funding and future investment in the Glebe is vital for transforming the park into a modern, biodiverse parkland that will not only provide recreational opportunities for residents but also enhance the overall appeal of Roscrea as a vibrant, sustainable town centre. 

Shane Grogan, the new Town Regeneration Officer for Tipperary County Council, added that the park, as identified in the Town Centre First Plan, is “critical to the success of Roscrea as a place to live and work, serving as the only substantial green open space within the town centre.”

At the most recent meeting of the town team, committee members also received an update on the River Rooms Project, which is also an integral part of Roscrea's Town Centre First Plan. The project envisions creating connected outdoor rooms along the river, providing attractive and accessible spaces for community gatherings, recreation, and environmental appreciation. 

This initiative will enhance the town's green and blue infrastructure, creating a more sustainable and welcoming environment for residents and visitors. 

Brian King noted that the Committee hopes a plan for the river rooms project can work alongside that of the Glebe Park.

At that same town team meeting, Shane Grogan provided an update on the other ongoing projects in the town. 

The team warmly welcomed the recent announcement of funding for the Castle Street project, another critical component of the town's broader development plan. The tenders for the design work on this project are expected to be appointed in the coming weeks. 

News of additional funding for the Castle complex was also welcomed.

The Town Team was also informed that a feasibility study will soon be conducted to explore the best future use for Grant’s Hotel.

In addition to these updates, the committee received encouraging news on the REACH Project. The new facility, located in the former Tesco building, is expected to be operational in the Spring of 2025 and has already filled 10,000 square feet of space, with high demand for the remaining 2,000 square feet. The facility is set to bring increased footfall, energy, and vibrancy to the streets of Roscrea, with meeting rooms also available for public use.

GANTLY STREET

The Gantly Street project is making headway. Plans include not only the new age-friendly housing development but also a full street refresh with new design concepts. 

The Gantly Street Public Realm project will go to tender in the coming weeks.

The Town Team is also actively exploring potential funding streams for enhancing Roscrea’s laneways, which are an integral part of the town’s historical and cultural fabric.

Brian King emphasised throughout the meeting the importance of public consultation in all public realm projects, stressing that the local community, businesses, and organisations/local groups should have ample opportunity to provide feedback throughout the development process of these projects.

All in all, the Town Team is happy with the progression of the overall town plan. 

The team would like to publicly acknowledge former town regeneration officer Aíne McCarthy for all her help and assistance over the past two years. 

The team looks forward to working with Shane Grogan over the coming months and continuing to build upon the work accomplished to date in Roscrea.