Members of the steering group involved in the Banagher Marina & Environs Masterplan pictured on Friday. Back row L-R: Morgan Smith (Silverline Cruisers), Paddy Scales (Banagher Development Group), Kieran Keenaghan (BDG), Noel Coughlan (Carrick Craft), Caren Carruthers (Failte Ireland), Jonathan O’Meara (Mid Ireland Adventure), Brendan O’Loughlin (Offaly Local Development Company) & Olwen Cummins (Town Regeneration Officer, Offaly County Council). Front row L-R: Minister of State Pippa Hackett, Brian Treacy (Waterways Ireland), Council Cathaoirleach Eddie Fitzpatrick & Chief Executive Anna Marie Delaney.

New Banagher masterplan to create "a walkable, attractive and active" local area

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After months of consultation and planning, the Banagher Marina and Environs Masterplan was officially launched by Offaly County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick at Crank House, Banagher on Friday last.

The council said the new plan offers "a vision to enhance the Marina to improve the built fabric, waterway access and green infrastructure".

It added that the plan "will also aim to act as a catalyst for driving future regeneration projects to sustain tourism and improve the social and economic development of Banagher".

The Marina and Environs Masterplan was funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund, in partnership with Offaly County Council.

Speaking at the launch event, Anna Marie Delaney, Chief Executive of Offaly County Council, said: "Banagher is a key location in the context of the Shannon Tourism Masterplan.

"It is Offaly County Council's vision to utilise and enhance the unique character and location of the Banagher Marina and Environs to create a walkable, attractive and active area, better linked to the wider town centre and to provide new civic, residential, amenity and recreational assets."

Pictured at the launch of the Masterplan were: Back row L-R: Cllr John Leahy, Andrew Murray (A/Director of Services Offaly County Council), Cllr John Carroll, Carol Nolan TD, Cllr John Clendennen, Cllr Clare Claffey, Ann Dillon (Director of Services OCC). Front row, L-R: Minister of State Pippa Hackett, Brian Treacy (Waterways Ireland), Cathaoirleach Eddie Fitzpatrick & Chief Executive Anna Marie Delaney. Photo: Paul Moore.

In his address, Cathaoirleach Fitzpatrick stated, "This plan, which is a comprehensive masterplan for Banagher, is the culmination of many months of consultation and planning and will, in time, have an extremely positive impact in the area from an economic, social and environmental perspective."

The Masterplan of Banagher Marina and Environs is the foundation of a larger project for the regeneration of Banagher.

The design development of the Marina public realm spaces can now progress based on the concepts identified in the Master Plan with support of the Rural Regeneration Development Fund.

A Conservation Master Plan is also due to commence shortly on the Royal Shannon Hotel, a long-term vacant property, which was recently purchased by Offaly County Council.

A copy of the Banagher Marina and Environs Masterplan can be viewed or downloaded from Offaly County Council website here.

The Masterplan was informed by a successful steering group comprising of community, business, stakeholder representatives and Offaly County Council lead by consultants PLACE + Urbanism Ltd and CHL and Associates Ltd.

Public consultation events were also held throughout the process.

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