ENNIS’ public realm works “may be completed by September,” the outgoing Mayor of the county town has said.
A new phase of the long-running public realm works in the town centre began this week with Abbey Street shutting to traffic.
Businesses across Ennis town centre have been greatly affected since the public realm works began way back in October 2023 for what is one of the largest public infrastructure projects carried out in Ennis.
Prior to works commencing, Clare County Council had said works would be “delivered in phases to minimise disruption to local business” yet the past twenty months have been an incredibly difficult spell for businesses in the town centre. Those left standing when works conclude will be able to avail of a paint scheme, the details of which are to be finalised by local authority staff.
As of Tuesday morning (July 1st) until October 19th, Abbey Street is under a temporary road closure even though the street is not undergoing any works as part of the €11.5m public realm project.
Abbey Street from Francis Junction through to Bank Place and Old Friary Lane is closed to vehicular traffic to facilitate the public realm regeneration works. A diversion is in place at Abbey Street car park.
In her final act as Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) revealed that the public realm works could finish ahead of schedule.
“We can all see progress on the public realm works, they are to be completed on time which is in October of this year, it is possible that they may be completed by September. The project has had substantial resources from the County Council but the majority of the €12m investment has been from other resources. We’ve seen a peak of how it could be”.
“We understand people have been discommoded most especially businesses and pedestrians with disabilities,” she acknowledged. Colleran Molloy added, “We’re working on a grant scheme to address painting of premises going forward because of the disruption”.
She said, “We will have a completed project by Christmas and it will be magical”.
Similar views were also expressed by newly elected Mayor, Cllr Mary Howard (FG). “The public realm works are ongoing but to make an omelette you have to break eggs”.
