Tipp Council add to €1.2-million Roscrea fund

LAST week's announcement of almost €1-million to rejuvenate Roscrea town centre has received a significant boost, with match funding from the local authority of almost quarter of a million euro.

Roscrea's Main Street is one of 30 landmark regeneration projects in rural communities across the country included in the allocation of funding totalling €20-million announced by Community Development Minister Dara Calleary.

The grant funding allocated to the Roscrea project is €971,204, and Tipperary County Council will provide match funding of €242,801, raising the total funding available for the project to €1,214,005.

The project was developed by Tipperary County Council in collaboration with North Tipperary Development Company (NTDC), Age Friendly Roscrea and the Roscrea Town Team. The application was submitted as a design project under category two of the fund.

The regeneration of Roscrea project will see the creation of a new multi-use community facility at the former Walsh Printers site in the town centre, as well as enhancements to Main Street and renewing the three pedestrian laneways from Main Street to Gantly Road and the Lourdes Road carparks.

The delivery of an upgraded Main Street in Roscrea with laneway linkages and the re-development of the vacant building were identified as a key action in the Roscrea town centre first masterplan following an extensive public consultation process involving the community, local businesses and elected members.

Roscrea recorded very high levels of participation and engagement from the public and the funding is in recognition of the ongoing commitment to the rejuvenation of Roscrea town as a vibrant place to live, work and visit.

Cathaoirleach of the Municipal Council for the area, Councillor Peggy Ryan, welcomed the news: “I greatly welcome the allocation of €971,204.00 under the rural regeneration and development fund (RRDF) and the €242,801 Tipperary County Council match funding for Roscrea.

“RRDF funding is vital, as it enables us to tackle dereliction and vacancy in our towns and villages while also delivering significant public realm enhancements.

“Through the RRDF, we can undertake transformative projects that will attract and sustain footfall in our rural communities. This investment will allow Roscrea to be revitalised and reinvigorated, ensuring it remains a vibrant and welcoming place to live, work, and visit,” Cllr. Ryan said.

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“The approval of funding for this Roscrea regeneration project demonstrates the commitment of Thurles municipal district to support the development of towns and villages across the district," Mark Connolly, District Manager, said.

“I would like to sincerely acknowledge the hard work of all staff involved in the application process, whose efforts were instrumental in securing this funding. Thurles Municipal District looks forward to working with all stakeholders on the delivery of this ambitious project.”