Action Group outlines plans to “make Shannonbridge great again”
By Rebekah O'Reilly
A new ten-year strategy to revitalise Shannonbridge was launched this week.
The Shannonbridge Development Strategy was unveiled by Shannonbridge Action Group on Wednesday, November 27.
The launch event published a number of reports and detailed plans aimed at reinvigorating tourism interests and direct expenditure in the area, as locals deal with the fallout of the loss of Bord na Móna peat extraction and the ESB powerplant closure.
The Shannonbridge Action Group committee, including Vincent Darcy, Colette Quinn, Jim Killeen, Gerry O'Sullivan, Karagh Kelly, and Lucy Quirke, has been working with Offaly Local Development and strategists on plans to give a much needed boost to the region.
“It's no secret that the community of Shannonbridge and its economic survival was dealt a very significant blow when the ESB announced the closure of the West Offaly power station, and for Bord na Móna to cease peat extraction there's no doubt that was a huge moment in our community," said Vincent.
"It came probably ten years sooner than we expected. We as a community planned for the future, to see what economic activity could be generated within the village."
The plans surrounded four main pillars, including tourism potential, small local enterprise, training and retraining, and making Shannonbridge a great place to live.
The long awaited Athlone to Galway cycleway extension to Offaly is a huge consideration for the area, with a short section of the track set to extend across the bridge in the village.
"The national greenway is coming to Offaly - and it'll be a gamechanger for our community," Vincent said.
The Shannonbridge Action Group also advocated the village's inclusion in the Clonmacnoise Master Plan, produced by the OPW, to highlight options for the future of the famous monastic site.
“We want to bring tourists back into Shannonbridge. We don't just want buses passing through to Clonmacnoise, but we want people to get out, and to go into JJ Killeens, Fallons, The River Cafe, and Lukers, and to see what we have to offer,” said Vincent. "To steal the phrase of a popular politician - we want to make Shannonbridge great again."
Roisin Lennon, CEO Offaly Local Development said they have a “multi-dimensional approach” to supporting rural communities in the county like Shannonbridge.
“With support from the LEADER programme, an analysis was conducted on the community's heritage, history, location, residents, and business owners to develop the Destination Development Plan. This plan has pinpointed opportunities for advancement in tourism, visitor services, and potential enterprise development, paving the way for future planning for Shannonbridge.”
Offaly Local Development, Offaly County Council played a significant role in the development of plans for the renewal of the region, enabling Shannonbridge to obtain significant grants and funding as part of the Just Transition fund.
Showing their support at the launch were Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council Cllr Tony McCormack, Minister of State Pippa Hackett, Aontú's Maureen Ward, Senator Aisling Dolan, Independent Eddie Fitzpatrick, as well as Brid O'Reilly representing Ciaran Mullooly MEP, and Eamon McManus, local Fianna Fáil representative.
Bord na Móna work director Phillip Casey showed his backing for the development strategy, as he said: "I call on the politicians to stand up to the mark - it's time. This plan needs to happen now."
"We need the backing of the board," said Vincent. "We have the plans - they need to become a reality."