‘Grand Canal Dock Tullamore’ public consultation
Camilla McLoughlin writes in the Offaly Express on 17 Oct 2023
PUBLIC consultation for the Harbour Masterplan is due to take place in the next few weeks, the October meeting of Tullamore Municipal District heard. Senior Executive Officer Jean Ryan said, ‘‘we will be engaging with you to reach as wide an audience as possible for the regeneration framework for Tullamore and the Harbour Masterplan she told Councillors.
Plans for the Harbour will include the relocation of the Waterways Ireland Operational Depot to a greenfield site 1km east of Tullamore. Waterways Ireland has described it as presenting ”an exciting opportunity to envision future redevelopment of the harbour area.”
A spokesperson for the company said: ”Relocation of the depot unlocks a unique opportunity to redevelop and revitalise the harbour area, so that once more it becomes an integral part of Tullamore town, it works as an economic and social generator, and the 200-year-old harbour and its industrial heritage is unveiled for public discovery and appreciation from behind existing high walls. Commissioning of a Masterplan by Waterways Ireland and Offaly County Council in November 2022, with support from the Urban Regeneration & Development Fund, has provided the prism through which transformation and regeneration of the harbour area can be envisioned. The Masterplan is currently being finalised by Waterways Ireland, Offaly County Council, and Grafton Architects. Further information on the Masterplan content will be communicated later this year by the partners.”
The Harbour has been hidden away for years behind high walls in Tullamore. Many visitors to the town have no idea it is there. Through the public consultation process locals will have an opportunity to comment and make submissions on proposals for the area.
Offaly County Council is currently progressing six urban regeneration and development projects in Tullamore, funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. One of these, Project E, is the Grand Canal Dock Tullamore.