Nenagh councillors to discuss chief executive's report on historic quarter consultation

Nenagh councillors are due to meet this Wednesday to discuss the Chief Executive’s Report on Part VIII for the Nenagh Historical and Cultural Quarter centred around Banba Square, Nenagh Castle, the gaol and courthouse.

The plan was recently put out for public consultation and that period ended earlier this month, following which a review was drawn up and recommendations made.

The proposed project is aimed at maximising the potential of the Nenagh Historic and Cultural Quarter (NHCQ) and its contribution to Nenagh as a successful and sustainable visitor destination.

The Quarter is located in the centre of Nenagh and comprises a number of historic buildings set around Banba Square and O’Rahilly Street.

The principal landmark buildings are the castle and gaol. It is proposed that the visitor experiences offered at these two sites be significantly upgraded.

The project also includes extensive improvements to the public realm at Banba Square and the adjoining streets which will greatly enhance Nenagh town.

There are a number of Protected Structures within the development area and the site lies within an Architectural Conservation Area. Nenagh Castle is a national monument in State Guardianship (RMP Ref. No. TN020-037001).

Works involve:

- Public Realm upgrade works to Banba Square, O’Rahilly Street & Carpark, Courthouse Carpark & Courthouse frontage, Castle Field, Barbican entrance and bridge

- Reinstatement of historic access gates and posts (incorporating light) to the courthouse including extension of the Banba Square paving to the courthouse steps and portico

- Installation of natural stone paving and improvement works to the footpaths of the main business district streets, Kenyon Street, Mitchel Street, Pearse Street, Silver Street, Kickham Street and Emmet Place

- Refurbishment with internal and external alterations to the Protected Structure, the existing Nenagh Heritage Centre (former Governors’ house, gatehouse and the single storey and three-storey gaol cell blocks) conservation and adaptive reuse works, installation of new accessible toilets on the ground floor of the truncated cell block.

- Reinstatement of an elevated footbridge structure and associated works connecting the cell block to the Governor’s House

- Demolition of the former Civil Defence building and adjacent lean-to stores in the courthouse public carpark and reorganisation of the parking including the partial removal of a dividing stone wall

- Installation of a new universal access pedestrian route (comprising elevated bridge, paved walkway, and ramped footpaths) from the O’Rahilly Street Carpark to Nenagh Castle forecourt (utilising the castle barbican entrance)

- Demolition of the modern single-storey lean-to structure adjacent to the Barbican entrance of Nenagh Castle and associated works at O’Rahilly Street Carpark

- Accessible public realm to the O’Rahilly Street carpark comprised of predominantly hard landscaping with soft landscaping areas including installation of new edgings at junctions between hard and soft landscaping, asphalt surfacing to car park, natural stone paving to the public areas, with installation of nature-based drainage solutions

- Installation of high & low lighting to public realm (Banba Square, Courthouse carpark, O’Rahilly Street carpark) generally as well as facade lighting to Nenagh Castle and Nenagh Gaol buildings and the former gaol exercise yards.

- Removal of existing traffic barrier and installation of a revised vehicle access security system (automated rising bollards) at the vehicle entrance through the gaol gatehouse archway serving the Governor’s house and existing convent access beyond.