€7.5m has been set aside for the delivery of the long-awaited One Shannon Hub.
One Shannon Hub will be a multi-purpose civic, theatre and community space with multiple uses to ensure activity throughout the day and night.
It emerged as a key transformational project from the Shannon Town Centre Masterplan which was published in August 2022. The One Shannon Hub followed unsuccessful efforts over six years up to 2018 to secure government funding to develop The Shannon Venue.
On Monday morning, funding was finally secured for the project. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD (FF) allocated €7.5m under the Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund which was formerly called URDF funding.
Proposals in the Hub include the creation of a civic and community centre which will also combine as a new Clare County Council town hall, a performing arts venue, and a flexible working and innovation space. This three-in-one approach will merge community, cultural and civic uses, with Council offices relocated to the heart of the town. Building elements included in the application are a library, multi-purpose event space, an exhibition space, community space and a café.
At the beginning of May, Clare County Council applied to the fund. Director of Service for Finance, Investment and Enterprise with the Council, Noeleen Fitzgerald stated earlier this summer, “We need to have shovels in the ground by September 2027”.
Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) said Shannon’s new focal point will also include a library and a café. “This €7.5 million allocation is a hugely significant investment in Shannon and is very welcome news for the town. For many years, people in Shannon have spoken about the need for a proper civic and community focal point in the town centre. Shannon is a unique town with an incredible history of innovation, industry and aviation, but its civic infrastructure has not always kept pace with its growth”.
Deputy Crowe commented, “The One Shannon Hub has the potential to change that. It will create a place where people can meet, attend events, access library and community services and spend time in the heart of the town”. He added, “This investment must also be viewed alongside the wider plans for the regeneration of Shannon Town Centre. We want to create a more vibrant and attractive town centre which serves the people who live in Shannon while also supporting businesses, employment and future investment. Shannon is County Clare’s second-largest town and is of enormous strategic importance to the Mid-West. It deserves first-class civic and community facilities and this €7.5 million Government commitment brings the One Shannon Hub a major step closer to becoming a reality”.
In July 2023, contracts were signed between Clare County Council and BDP (Integrated Design Team) and Tom McNamara & Partners (Integrated QS & Project Manager) for the design of a multi-functional building known as the ‘One Shannon Hub’. BDP in 2022 were tasked by the Council with creating a Shannon Town Centre Masterplan which saw the Hub emerge as a key element. The site on which the Hub will be located is in the ownership of Shannon Commercial Properties but they agreed a 999 year lease with Clare County Council from August 2022.
