Major step forward for transformation of former military site in Clonmel

There was a carnival atmosphere in Clonmel on Monday as the new civic plaza at the former Kickham Barracks site was officially opened.
The spectacular addition to the streetscape of Clonmel was officially opened by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien.

It heralds a new beginning for the town and is the most visible sign to date of the emergence of an impressive educational, cultural and civic quarter on the site left vacant after the closure of Kickham Barracks in 2012.
PHASE ONE

The opening of the civic plaza represents phase one of a multi-million euro project for the redevelopment of the Kickham Barracks site.

This new civic space consists of the new main public plaza; a bandstand and stepped terrace; a canopy structure along the northern edge of the plaza; a new street; new footpaths and a car- parking facility which links the site entrance on Dillon Street to the central plaza feature.

A partnership formed between Tipperary County Council, Technological University of the Shannon Mid-West (formerly LIT), An Garda Síochána and Tipperary Education Board is driving the transformation of the site.
The visit of Minister O’Brien on Monday was the latest of high profile visits from Government ministers.

Before Christmas, in another important stage of the process, the then Minister for Education Simon Harris announced a €35m investment for the site.
The funding was allocated to develop a new integrated College of the Future campus on the site incorporating both higher education and further education opportunities.
The final piece of the jigsaw is the development of a new Garda Station by the OPW which is anxiously awaited.

GARDA STATION
Throughout the day Minister O’Brien was reminded of the urgent need to accelerate the process of funding for the Garda Station.

The new Garda Station will be located at the back of the canopy structure in the plaza.
Minister O’Brien said that he had visited the Kickham Barracks site last summer and he was amazed to see the progress that had been made since then.
He said the civic plaza represented the first phase of the regeneration of the town.

Minister O’Brien praised the vision and determination of everybody involved in the process of transforming the Kickham Barracks vacant site.
FIRST STEP
Tipperary County Council CEO Joe MacGrath said the development was the first step in the realisation of the vision for the site as a dynamic, innovative and creative cultural, educational and civic quarter that builds on the character and setting of the barracks.

“It creates a visual and physical link with the town centre and improves the quality of life and cultural offering in Clonmel, which hopefully will stimulate new and additional uses into the town centre area, increasing footfall and spend,” said the CEO.
The Mayor of Clonmel Cllr Pat English welcomed the development.

MILITARY PRESENCE
“It was a very sad day for Clonmel when 200 soldiers stationed at this barracks marched through the streets of Clonmel one last time bringing an end to an era of over 350 years of military presence in the town. Today marks the start of the reversal of that decision. We as a town look forward to this barracks site returning to a vibrant part of this town again,” said the Mayor of Clonmel Cllr Pat English.

Chairman of Tipperary County Council Cllr Roger Kennedy said the new civic space represented a very positive step forward.
Cllr Kennedy said that the positive process involved in the transformation of the Kickham Barracks site would make Clonmel a better place to live, work and visit.

ONE VETERANS
The opening ceremony was attended by political, business and cultural representatives as well as ONE veterans.
They were entertained by acts from Spraoi and a parade of the St Brigid’s cloak was a feature of the opening ceremony.