Revamp ‘could create the Quay Street of Athlone’

A senior council planner has said an upcoming streetscape revamp in the centre of Athlone could eventually help to create a "vibrant" hub of bars and restaurants similar to areas like Quay Street in Galway.

The redevelopment of Mardyke Street, which includes the pedestrianisation of a 90-metre section of Sean Costello Street, is expected to get underway within the first three months of the new year.

During an 'Our Streets' webinar which was organised by Athlone Chamber of Commerce on December 9 last, senior Westmeath County Council planner Cathaldus Hartin said there had been a broadly positive response to the forthcoming streetscape project.

"It has the potential to be that Quay Street-type development," he said, adding that if it was successful it could lead to the opening of "covered streets, bars, restaurants and craft beer areas."

"There is that potential for vibrancy.

We are putting in the building blocks there to create a nice, safe pedestrianised environment and then it's up to everybody else to come on board," commented Mr Hartin.

The pedestrianised section of Sean Costello Street will be between Flannery's pub and Mardyke Street, and Mr Hartin said some limited access would be maintained for service vehicles.

The junction of Mardyke Street, Gleeson Street, Pump Lane, and St Mary's Square is also in line for an overhaul during the project, with "a priority signalised junction" to be installed.

Some €4.13m million in funding for the project was announced back in March.

During a council meeting in October, Director of Services Barry Kehoe said it was anticipated that a contractor would be appointed "early in 2022" and that the work would commence in the first quarter of the year.

As part of the development, railings are due to be removed around the Marist Brothers monument at St Mary’s Square, and the monument itself is to be moved to “a more prominent position” in the same general area.

It’s anticipated that, after the pedestrianisation of Sean Costello Street, vehicular access for deliveries “will be time-restricted and controlled through removable bollards” at both ends of the street.

You can look back at the webinar here: