ENNIS’ Abbey Street must not be left to become “a ghost street”, left behind as other streets in the county town benefit from upgrades. That’s according to Councillor Johnny Flynn who has called on the Ennis Municipal District to carry out a feasibility study on improvement works for the thoroughfare.
Speaking at the monthly meeting of the local authority Councillor Flynn pointed to public realm upgrades completed in Parnell Street and planned for O’Connell Street and Barrack Street with a combined cost of €20 million.
He urged that the feasibility study for similar works on Abbey Street be carried out “in order to apply for Part 8 Planning to enable the lodging an application to Government for Urban Renewable & Development Fund (URDF) funding under what would be a third phase of the Ennis Town Centre Public Realm Regeneration.”
However, while the local authority executive insisted including Abbey Street in future regeneration projects “is a priority”, Leonore O’Neill senior executive officer cautioned there are indications the next round of URDF funding will focus on housing.
Councillor Flynn acknowledged the work of the Ennis Municipal District and Ms O’Neill in the upgrades of Parnell Street, O’Connell Street, Barrack Street, High Street and Bank Place.
“Abbey Street has 800 years of history,” he said. Referencing a publication by local historian Brian Spring exploring Abbey Street, he said the book mentions, “There are one or two tales of ghosts on the street. What we don’t want is Abbey Street to become a ghost street that has been left behind”.
Responding to the motion, Ms O’Neill stated, “The inclusion of Abbey Street in future public realm regeneration projects is a priority for Ennis Municipal District.
Ennis Municipal District, together with Ennis 2040 recently met with the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund team to determine what the likely priorities under Call 3 of the fund will be.
Whilst we are still awaiting the guidelines under the next call, early indications are that there will likely be a focus on Housing for All and Town Centre First.”
Councillor Flynn welcomed the response, and stressed the need to “keep the kettle on the boil” and continue pushing for an upgrade of Abbey Street.
Councillor Mary Howard agreed “it’s important to keep Abbey Street front and centre in the future of Ennis.” She described Ennis as a “medieval town with a 21st century heart” with Abbey Street a prime example of this.
The council’s reponse was described as “very positive” by Councillor Pat Daly. “It’s the gateway to the Square in the centre of town. I don’t think it will ever be a ghost street but it needs upgrading.”
Ms O’Neill told the meeting that the council had met with the URDF team before Christmas and put forward proposed areas for funding in the Municipal District, highlighting Abbey Street.
She stated it was indicated the focus of the next round of funding will be on addressing dereliction through converting properties into housing. This is a “very different focus” to previous URDF funding calls and “it is unlikely to include public realm” she said. She stated the council will have to wait until the guidelines for funding applications are released.
“We have highlighted Abbey Street as a priority but it may not fit the criteria for the next funding call,” she said.
However, she said it is likely there will a further funding call in the future which could have a different focus. Councillor Flynn insisted it is important to have a feasibility study in place so the council is ready to apply for funding when opportunities arise. “What we have done in the past has proven it’s the right way, do the feasibility study and then we are ready,” he said.