Roscommon County Council is delighted to confirm that funding of €1.39m has been approved for the development of an ambitious new Waterfront Park at Hodson Bay, Athlone. The project is being managed by Roscommon County Council in partnership with Waterways Ireland.

The funding will support the development of the multifaceted project on the Hodson Bay waterfront area through design, environmental evaluation, economic analysis and a planning consent phase.

Subject to planning consent being secured Roscommon County Council and Waterways Ireland will investigate all funding opportunities to progress the project elements to construction, the initial high level estimated value of which is €30m.

The organisations are providing combined match funding of €0.32m with the balance of €1.07m funding, provided by Fáilte Ireland under the EU Just Transition FundRegenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme (2023-2026) under the EU Just Transition Fund (EUJTF) 2021 – 2027

The proposed development comprises four main elements, namely, the promenade development, design of the marina development and to improve and extend the existing marina to be capable of hosting approximately 50 new berths.

The plan also makes provision for enhanced facilities for water activities such as boating and swimming. It also allows for a revised access strategy for the redeveloped Hodson Bay area to promote sustainable and inclusive use creating a link at Hodson Bay with the proposed new ‘Lough Ree Greenway’.

The Official Signing of Contract Documents takes place on Tuesday with Civic Engineers Ltd who have been appointed as lead consultants on the project. Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr. Paschal Fitzmaurice and Chief Executive, Shane Tiernan were present at the signing.

Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council, Shane Tiernan said the new development was a major vote of confidence, not only of the local tourism sector but also of the wonderful water sports facilities on offer in the Hodson Bay area.

The natural resources of Lough Ree and the River Shannon draw many visitors to Roscommon, to appreciate their natural beauty and potential for water sport activities. This new development will increase capacity for even more visitors to the region and enhance the tourism offering of the region”, Mr Tiernan remarked.

Reacting to the news Paddy Mathews, Head of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands at Fáilte Ireland said:

“We’re pleased to mark the beginning of this significant project at Hodson Bay Waterfront Park. By funding projects like Hodson Bay Waterfront Park, the EU Just Transition Fund is helping transform the tourism landscape in the Midlands.

“This creates more reasons for domestic and international tourists to visit, sustaining jobs, businesses and local communities. Roscommon is a key destination in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and we look forward to working closely with Roscommon County Council to deliver this project and support the sustainable development of tourism for the benefit of visitors and communities across the region."

Brian Treacy, Western Regional Manager with Waterways Ireland, said today is a significant milestone in the delivery of this transformative project. Waterways Ireland looks forward to working with Roscommon County Council, Failte Ireland and Civic Engineers Ltd to progress the Hodson Bay Waterfront Park project which will make Hodson Bay an iconic destination on the River Shannon.

The funding received through the EU Just Transition Fund will help create a tourism and recreational destination accessible by land and water on the shores of Lough Ree, with domestic and international reach of significant scale.

The proposed development will now proceed to the design and planning phase with a core objective   ofa creating a best in class development that will help support and enhance tourism and economic developments for Hodson Bay and the wider midlands region in a balanced and sustainable way.

The development will also align with the objectives and ambition of the Shannon Tourism Masterplan 2020 to 2030 and Ireland Hidden Heartlands Regional development Strategy 2023 to 2027.