Plan for Strokestown town centre and funding for Castlerea welcomed

Funding of €30,000 to develop plans to revitalise town centres in the county has been welcomed.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, and Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O’Donnell published the first ever ‘Town Centre First’ plans for 26 towns across every county.

The plans, developed in consultation with local communities, represent the vision of local people for their area.

Strokestown was among the towns selected in the last round of funding and its ‘Town Centre First Plan’ was published online last week. Castlerea was also announced as the next County Roscommon Town that will develop a ‘Town Centre First Plan’ under the latest phase of the programme.

The funding will enable the Castlerea Town Team to work with Roscommon County Council to devise a ‘Town Centre First Plan’.

The Strokestown Town Centre First Plan has identified “transformational proposals” and a five-year roadmap to achieve them. The proposals include creating a social, community and wellbeing hub, a coordinated plan for walking and cycle schemes in Strokestown and tackling vacant buildings and dereliction.

Speaking at the launch of the plan, Jonathan Cassidy, Strokestown Town Team said: “The plan has identified transformational proposals that will help Strokestown function as a viable, vibrant and attractive town for all its people.” Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy welcomed the publication of the Strokestown plan and the inclusion of Castlerea.

“Our Town Teams are doing great work around the country creating and driving forward ambitious plans. We want to see many more town teams, so it is very welcome that the Department of Rural and Community Development is giving local authorities funding of up to €10,000 to establish new town teams or build up existing teams,” he said.

“Today we have also launched a new ‘Town Centre First’ website where people can find out how to get involved.” Senator Aisling Dolan said that the fund was a credit to voluntary town teams who were working hard for their local community.

“This is a great win for Castlerea, this investment will bring such a boost to the town centre. I know how active the businesses and local community are in promoting their town,” the Fine Gael senator said.

“Castlerea has a lot to offer and this government investment will see a lot more development for the benefit of all.” Senator Dolan also praised the publication of the plan for Strokestown.

“Well done to Jonathan Cassidy and all the local volunteers working with business and the local community to build a vision of how we wish to see Strokestown grow over the next number of years,” she said.

“Our local councillors have been strong advocates for Castlerea including local election candidate Gareth Scahill working with the Castlerea Town Team as well as Cllr Liam Callaghan.” 

Mr Scahill welcomed the funding for Castlerea, saying it would empower the Castlerea Town Team, along with the council, to develop an all-encompassing plan for the town.

“On behalf of everyone on Castlerea Town Team I want to thank everyone for supporting this,” he said and he also thanked the area’s three councillors, Cllrs Nigel Dineen, Paschal Fitzmaurice, and Anthony Waldron.

He also thanked the department for selecting Castlerea as well as all the members of the Castlerea Town Team, “who have put in endless hours”.

“We plan on being on the ground, engaging with the community and getting as much feedback as we can. This is a very good announcement for Castlerea and the surrounding area and we are very excited about it,” he said.

“Once this plan is completed, and once we start delivering on the projects, we will have a much more vibrant and enhanced community. One that we are already proud of, but one that we can be even prouder of.” Una Ní Chuinn of Roscommon County Council also welcomed the announcement for Castlerea, and looked forward to working to develop the best plan for the town.

“This is an exciting time for all of our Town Teams, who do tremendous work and take immense pride in their communities. This pride will further inspire all of our towns and villages and in turn, attract new people and visitors to our towns to live, work and invest in,” said Ms Ní Chuinn.

In County Leitrim Carrick-on-Shannon was selected, which has been welcomed by Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan.

“I am pleased to see Carrick-on-Shannon as part of the next 26 successful towns across the country,” said Deputy Feighan.