Tipp heritage town set for multi-million revamp including library, car park, and business hub

The heritage town of Cahir in Tipperary is to undergo a huge €15m revamp in the coming months, with works to commence on a new car park, library, and an enhancement of the historic town square at the start of 2024.

Local Councillor Andy Moloney says it should be ready for the summer tourist season, with Castle Court Hotel being redeveloped as a car park as the first part of the public realm scheme.

A contractor is being lined up to be appointed this week, and it’s expected they will be on-site in the first or second week of January, along with the next phase of funding being aimed at developing a state-of-the-art library at the site of the old Craft Granary.

Under the plan, the current library in the Square will be turned into a business hub, with up to 50 ‘hot desks’ for new start-up companies over time.

The car park at Church Street will cater for up to 90 vehicles, including five buses, have EV charging points and disability bays, and will be within one minute’s walk to the Square.

The first phase of construction at the new car park has a three-month deadline, followed by works on the library and Square.

Councillor Moloney has praised the work put in by Tipperary County Council and, in particular, Frank Cussen who is heading up the project.

“The library will come on shortly after that (relocating from The Square to the Granary building) and when we go to the Town Public Realm that will probably be Quarter 3 – maybe Quarter 4 of 2024 – but we’re starting to see the money being released by the Department and work can finally get underway.

“This has been a very, very important project for the town because we are top heavy on traffic as Cahir has increased numbers greatly – the car park will be a great relief to people coming to town to do some shopping and it will help circulate people around the Square and increase footfall.”