The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
ENHANCEMENT plans for Ennistymon are in line for a prestigious award that could put the town on the map in terms of its architecture.
Members of the public are now being called on to vote for ‘Enhancing Ennistymon’, which has been shortlisted for the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Public Choice Award.
The RIAI Architecture Awards are a national awards scheme that recognises excellence in Irish Architecture. The RIAI Public Choice Award is a unique opportunity for members of the public to choose their favourite project from a shortlist of works designed by Irish Architects. Entitled ‘Enhancing Ennistymon’, this plan is one of a number of projects shortlisted by the award’s jury, and a public vote is now ongoing to decide the award winner.
Ennistymon Town Team, Clare County Council and a Design Team led by Helena McElmeel Architects prepared a strategy for the enhancement of Ennistymon town centre, with support from Clare Local Development Company (CLDC). ‘Enhancing Ennistymon’ comprises of three strands – enhancement of streetscape and public realm in the town centre, a feasibility study in respect of future use of a vacant and derelict building, and thirdly, identification of opportunity sites in the town. It focuses on key areas and themes identified throughout surveys, site visits and most importantly engagement with the community, businesses, and residents. The One Planet Living framework by Bioregional was adopted by the design team to enhance the sustainability and biodiversity outcomes from the strategy.
The nomination for the Public Choice Award is another significant achievement for this project, and it follows on from its success at this year’s ‘Building and Architect of the Year Awards’ where the plan was awarded the Social Impact Award. This award acknowledges architectural projects on the Island of Ireland that improves the economic, social, and environmental well-being of their surrounding communities. The jury acknowledged the strong emphasis that the project team placed on collaboration and community empowerment throughout the development of the plan.
Welcoming the announcement, Councillor Shane Talty, Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District of Clare County Council, said he was delighted to learn of the shortlisting. “I would like to commend Helena McElmeel Architects, Ennistymon Town Team, and the Planning team at Clare County Council for collaborating on this project and for delivering it to such a high standard,” he said.
Pat Dowling Chief Executive of Clare County Council, described the Ennistymon Enhancement Plan as “an exemplar in town regeneration and empowering our communities in the development of their future vision for the town”. “Public consultation was a key vehicle for the development of the project, and we are once again calling upon the public’s support by voting for ‘Enhancing Ennistymon’ in the RIAI Public Choice Award category,” he said.
Gerard Reidy Chairperson of Ennistymon Town Team said the organisation was very happy to collaborate on the project. “Ennistymon Town Team were delighted to collaborate with Clare County Council, CLDC and Helena McElmeel Architects on the development of the Ennistymon Enhancement Plan” he said. “It is fantastic that the project has been shortlisted for a national award, and this is a strong demonstration of the quality of the plan. I encourage all to vote for ‘Enhancing Ennistymon’, your support would be valued by all in Ennistymon Town Team.”
Members of the public across Clare are being encouraged to vote online at Riai.ie/public-choice-award-poll/
The shortlisted projects are listed in alphabetical order. Votes can be cast by selecting ‘Enhancing Ennistymon’ and clicking on ‘This gets my vote’. Voting closes on June 20 at midnight.
