Sadness as old Fire Station facade collapses in Ferbane

THE old Fire Station facade has collapsed in Ferbane, along with its three attached walls.
The incident happened last week, resulting in expressions of sadness by a number of local people who were fond of the structure.
It had been stated on a number of occasions over the last few years that the facade would not be demolished, but would be retained as a feature in the upgrading works at the Fairgreen site.
These upgrading works began a couple of weeks ago, bringing praise from local councillor Hughie Egan. “We have been waiting a long time for the works to begin,” Cllr Egan stated during the May 12th meeting of Birr Municipal District, “and it's great to see the digger now on the site. When finished it will be a very positive addition to Ferbane.”
Speaking to the Tribune after the collapse, Cllr Egan said the old Fire Station's foundations had been poor and it was this which led to the collapse.
The Fairgreen project has received funding of €250,000 and it received planning permission in December 2022.
The works will include the construction of an attractive public park space with hard and soft landscaping including stone paving, gravel paths, a grassed area, trees and hedging.
In March the County Council told the Tribune that the works would entail “the partial demolition of the redundant fire station,” leaving the facade intact which would be used as a gateway to the public park. Obviously, this is no longer going to happen.
Four parking spaces will be available in the area, for residents only.
A gate crossing will be created which will link to the existing mass path.
A new pedestrian opening will be created in the boundary wall of the community centre car park, and new public lighting will be installed.
Proposed by Ferbane Tidy Towns, the aim is to provide an open space that incorporates a plaza, terraced lawn, orchard, rain garden and re-organised parking. “It is intended as a town park,” the Council said, “linking with the mass path as a sensory route.”