*Contract signing for the Ennis Firestation || Photograph by Eamon Ward
PLANS for a new fire station headquarters in Ennis have moved into the design phase following the signing of contracts with the appointed design team.
Clare County Council has completed the procurement process for design consultancy services for the new Clare County Fire and Rescue Service headquarters at New Road, Ennis.
The new facility will replace the existing fire station, which opened in 1979.
Ailtirí Architects, DCE Engineers and DRA Consulting Engineers have been appointed to work on the project, with representatives of the firms recently attending a contract signing event with Clare County Council.
The next stage will involve developing the detailed design and progressing the necessary statutory approvals.
The proposed six-bay headquarters will include appliance accommodation, administration offices, operational facilities, firefighter welfare areas, training infrastructure and a drill yard, along with associated site development works.
The building is being designed for a functional lifespan of at least 40 years and will incorporate energy-efficient systems, sustainability measures and modern communications infrastructure.
An outline design and preliminary cost plan are expected to be completed during 2026, followed by detailed design work and the statutory approval process.
This will include a Part VIII planning application, as well as applications for a Fire Safety Certificate and Disability Access Certificate.
Subject to departmental approvals and funding, the project is expected to go to construction tender in 2027, with work currently scheduled to begin in late 2027.
Clare County Council Chief Executive Gordon Daly welcomed funding support from the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management and said the new headquarters would provide a modern facility for firefighters and the communities they serve.
Acting Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer Colum Frawley said the project formed part of continued investment in fire and emergency services infrastructure across Clare.
He said the development, alongside recent investment in fleet, breathing apparatus, personal protective equipment and rescue equipment, represented a major commitment to supporting firefighters.
Director of Services for Transport, Climate, Recreation, Environment & Emergency Dr Carmel Kirby said Clare County Fire and Rescue Service operates through seven brigades in Ennis, Shannon, Ennistymon, Scariff, Killaloe, Kilrush and Kilkee.
The service currently employs approximately 100 personnel across the county.
Dr Kirby said the new headquarters would support operational response, training, administration, fire prevention and building control functions while providing a modern working environment for the service.
-Funded by Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
