Nominated in no less than six categories, Roscommon County Council is delighted to be recognised at this year’s LAMA (Local Authority Members Association) Awards, which recognise and celebrate communities and councils working together.

The awards will take place at Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork, on Saturday, February 22nd. The local authority has been nominated in the Best Town or Village Regeneration category for the Roscommon Public Realm Enhancement Project.

The new Market Square and covered Civic Centre space in Roscommon Town Centre was unveiled in May last year 2024, by the Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, T.D..

The regeneration of Roscommon Town can be thought of as a wheel in concept project with the Hub or Core of the wheel represented by the Town Centre Phase 1 project with the spokes representing the planned Phase 2 works.

The regeneration was carried out in two phases. The first phase was considered as the hub or core comprising  of three main elements - Main Street and Market Square Public Realm Enhancement works; the creation of a Covered Civic Space as well as nearby Laneway Enhancements, funded under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) and Roscommon County Council.

Some of the main provisions of work on the town square included alterations to the existing road carriageway widths, junction layouts and dimensions, the provision of high-quality pedestrian infrastructure and the removal of car parking from Market Square.

Soft Landscaping work included the provision of trees and greenspace throughout the scheme, new street lighting along with street furniture throughout the scheme to include benches, seating and the provision of new road and wayfinding signage, road marking and public lighting.

The new civic space structure within market square is a bold, courageous, iconic looking confidently to the future progression & development of Town. The structure consist of a raised seam copper vaulted roof and polished concrete columns.

The development of an unknown historic well within the town centre which was exposed during the public realm enhancements works with Market Square as an artistic piece of art and as a point of interest & intrigue for visitors and resident alike  

The second phase, considered the spokes of the project, is a planned sequence of initiatives that will link the Town Centre (hub) with the remainder of the town and comprises three elements, the creation of public realm enhancement works planned for Henry, Church Street and Goff Street.

Further works include public realm enhancement and linear park at the town’s Circular Road and public realm works proposed for St Ciaran’s Street from Convent Road Junction to Market Square along with enhanced linkage to Loughnaneane Park.

The southern side of the square, where the historic well was rediscovered and enclosed with a new canopy will also receive a new sculpture by the mosaic artist Rona Byrne to complete the set of interventions.  

These exciting new projects link the backlands of Main Street as well as the town’s Retail Parks and Circular Road in supporting the main town core, creating an exciting, integrated, innovative and modern town centre and hinterland.

Speaking at the official unveiling, Minister O’Brien remarked: “The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) has been a catalyst for regeneration, development and growth in cities and towns throughout Ireland as well as providing economic stimulus and job creation.

“Here in Roscommon, regenerating and rejuvenating the town centre with a new Market Square and civic space means it's now a more attractive and vibrant place for people to live, work and do business.  

“URDF funding in Roscommon has helped to reimagine and reinvigorate spaces at the heart of the town centre, and in turn I know it will be an impetus to bringing town centre homes back into practical use for sustainable living.''

The new market square and Civic Space reflects Roscommon County Council’s ambition to create a modern, safe, visually pleasing and most important of all, highly functioning public areas. The new space was extensively utilised for the town’s Easter Parade, Africa Day which took place in June and most recently the town’s Christmas Festival and Markets in December.

The Market Square public realm enhancement was designed by RPS Consulting Engineers with construction by P&D Lydon. While GKMP Architects from Dublin were engaged in the design Covered Public Space, with construction by Pat Loftus Construction Group.