What is the Rathdowney Town Centre First Plan?
The Rathdowney Town Centre First Plan provides a vision for the ongoing development of Rathdowney, building buy-in from existing property owners and local communities. The Town Centre First for Rathdowney contains proposals for the five transformative projects which involve improvements to the public realm, and are underlined by the following key principles: -
- The creation of a vibrant town centre through the delivery of an enhanced public realm.
- Creating streets and public spaces that are well defined, welcoming, safe and inclusive.
- Designing spaces that are robust and adaptable with landscape, green infrastructure and sustainable drainage well integrated.
- Developing a public realm that is connected to existing places and promotes opportunities for social interaction and a range of activities for all people.
- Using high quality natural materials and enhancing local biodiversity/habitats.
- Implementing a public realm strategy to raise the profile of Rathdowney, to encourage increased pedestrian flow, to attract visitors and new businesses and to engender a renewed pride and confidence in the town.
The plan also contains a 10-year action plan to drive the economic development of the town for the benefit of the community.
The Town Centre First Plan will be delivered by Laois County Council and various stakeholders. An important element for the successful delivery is the creation of a Town Team to work in collaboration with the Council to deliver elements of the Rathdowney TCF Plan.
In 2023, the Town Regeneration Officer and Laois County Council brought together a number of people who represented various interests across the town of Rathdowney to form a Town Team. They will work in collaboration with Laois County Council to deliver positive outcomes for Rathdowney.
Town Centre Masterplan
In 2023, Laois County Council launched the Town Centre First Plan for Rathdowney. To view the plan please view the document directly below.
Town Team members
Below is a list of all who are part of the Rathdowney Town Team
Business sector
- Mark Sheeran
- Martin Meade
- Tim Barry
- Connell Breslin
- Emma Dollard
Residents sector
- Mick Rigney
- France Byrne
- Gervase MacCourt
- Pat Delaney
- Eammon Bowe
Community sector
- Sgt. Paul Howard
- James Corrigan
- Fr Martin Delaney
Public representative
- Cllr. James Kelly
- Cllr. John King
- Cllr Conor Bergin
Laois County Council
- Denise Rainey
- Donal Brennan
- Donal Kiely
- Rory O'Callaghan
