Town centre vitality, speeding and parking issues raised at Nenagh December district meeting

A wide-ranging discussion on town centres, public spaces and community life took place at the December meeting of Nenagh Municipal District, with councillors reflecting on recent improvements while also voicing concern about longer-term challenges facing local towns and villages.

Nenagh District Administrator Rosemary Joyce outlined a number of recent successes, including the Christmas lights, Christmas tractor display and other festive events and activities held in the town, which she said were extremely well supported.

Members agreed that Nenagh looked particularly well in the lead-up to Christmas, with strong crowds attending events such as the turning on of the lights and activities around the castle. Councillors said the level of footfall demonstrated the importance of creating reasons for people to come into the town centre and spend time there.

Progress on improvement works in Garrykennedy was also welcomed. Planning permission has now been approved, with councillors describing the recent developments as very positive and noting the wider benefit for the village and the surrounding area. The project is expected to involve significant works at the inner harbour, aimed at addressing long-standing issues in the area. It was acknowledged that, due to funding and scale, the works may need to be carried out in phases, rather than all at once.

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The conversation then broadened into a longer discussion about the changing nature of town-centre trade and the pressures facing local businesses. Cllr Joe Hannigan urged people to support local businesses, warning that the growing trend towards online shopping was placing increasing pressure on family-run shops. He said local retailers offer a level of personal service that cannot be replicated and stressed the importance of keeping town centres vibrant. While members acknowledged that many people are time-poor and increasingly reliant on online shopping, they stressed that local shops offer something that cannot be replicated online.

Councillors highlighted the importance of personal interaction and community connection, noting that town centres provide more than just retail. Members said that meeting people, chatting on the street and engaging face to face is important not only for local economies but also for social well-being.

It was noted by Director of Services Liam Brett, that towns such as Nenagh offer a unique shopping experience, with a strong mix of independent retailers, food producers and long-established family businesses, something councillors said is not found to the same extent in many other towns. Members said this distinct character needs to be actively promoted, both to encourage people to shop locally and to attract visitors to the town.

The issue of supporting businesses to adapt was also raised, with councillors suggesting that local traders may need additional encouragement and support to strengthen their online presence alongside their physical shops, ensuring they can compete while maintaining a strong town-centre presence.

Practical challenges affecting town centres were also discussed. Cllr Michael O’Meara raised concerns about parking in Borrisokane, saying that long-term parking was restricting access for customers and creating knock-on difficulties for nearby shops, services and community facilities. He suggested that council staff go out to Borrisokane and assess the situation, Liam Brett confirmed the District Engineer would look into this issue.

Road safety was another area that featured prominently during the meeting. Cllr Louise Morgan Walsh called for a review of the section of road approaching Nenagh from the roundabout beside the Drummin Village estate, where an 80km/h speed limit applies. She said the current arrangement does not reflect the nature of the road, particularly as traffic moves quickly from 100km/h to 80km/h and then down to 50km/h over a short distance, raising safety concerns.

In Ballina, Cllr Phyll Bugler warned that speeding had become a serious issue following changes to traffic flow, particularly along main routes through the town. She said reduced congestion has led to higher vehicle speeds, posing risks to pedestrians and residents, and called for the issue to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

The discussion concluded with Cllr Fiona Bonfield thanking council staff for their work throughout the year.

She paid particular tribute to outdoor crews who, she said, dealt with challenging weather conditions and a heavy workload across the district, while continuing to respond to incidents and maintain services.