€50,000 allocation advances Clara town centre parking project
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Plans to deliver new off-street parking and improved connectivity in Clara town centre have taken a significant step forward, following confirmation of funding to progress design works on a key backland site.
In late 2025, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary, announced that Clara had been allocated €50,000 to engage professional services to bring the design of a town centre backland site at Bridge Street to planning stage.
The project forms part of the Government’s Town Centre First initiative and directly addresses Project 12 of Clara’s Town Centre First Plan, which focuses on identifying a town centre parking location.
According to the Clara Town Team, the Bridge Street backland site has “the potential to open connections and permeability which will connect Bridge Street, Egan’s Lane and Main Street”.
Once developed, the site is expected to provide off-street parking for more than 60 cars, easing pressure on Main Street and River Street and improving traffic flow through the town.
“This future development can provide much-needed off-street parking for Clara Town Centre,” the team said, adding that it would help to “relieve congestion on Main Street and River Street and enable the free flow of traffic through the town.”
Clara Town Team, working in partnership with Offaly County Council, will now commence the design phase and prepare the project for the planning process. It is envisaged that the development could progress as a capital Town and Village Renewal (TVR) project, with a future funding application to support construction works.
The team also noted that the parking project is expected to act as a catalyst for several other Town Centre First initiatives, including the townscape project, the river walk, and main street connections.
Currently, the Clara Town Centre First Team is collaborating with Offaly County Council on four key projects under the plan: the former co-op building, the town centre parking location, the railway greenway, and main street connections. Background work has also begun on a further three projects.
“It is great to see the projects identified within the Town Centre First Plan coming to fruition,” the announcement stated, praising the continued efforts of the Clara Town Centre First Team and the many community groups supporting the work.
Special acknowledgement was also given to Offaly County Council’s Town Regeneration Officer, Olwen Cummins, and her team, who were credited with securing the funding and ensuring that “Clara’s Town Centre First Plan continues to move from vision to reality.”