The project to enhance the streetscape of High Street, Bank Place, O’Connell Square, O’Connell Street, Old Barrack Street, and Barrack Square in Ennis, which commenced in October 2023, is scheduled to continue until at least October 2025. Construction on the newest phase of the town’s public realm works recommenced on January 6, after the holiday construction moratorium. This phase will focus on O’Connell Street, particularly the Carmody Street, High Street, and Market Street to Station Road areas.
At the recent Ennis Municipal District Meeting, Cllr. Tom O’Callaghan (FF) highlighted that the ongoing construction on the main shopping streets has had a direct impact on traders and the general public. O’Callaghan told the Clare Echo: “It is essential to speed up the resolution of these challenges if long-term plans for the town’s comprehensive revival are to be delivered and public satisfaction is to be achieved.”
In response, Shane O’Grady, Executive Engineer, acknowledged the temporary disruption caused by the return of machinery and construction fencing to the area. While recognizing that such disruptions are inevitable in large-scale infrastructural projects, O’Grady emphasized that the contractor and project team are committed to minimizing impact where possible.
To help mitigate traffic and accessibility impacts, street closures will remain necessary for safety reasons. However, efforts are being made to ensure minimal disruption to business operations, particularly through the completion of works in narrower streets during out-of-hours periods to allow for pedestrian movement and to limit disturbances to local commerce. As the project progresses, the contractor, project team, and Clare County Council’s Resident Engineering staff are available to assist traders and the public with any concerns, ensuring that Ennis remains open for business throughout the works.
“Noting the transformation of O’Connell Street and High Street as witnessed during the Christmas period, we look forward to an exciting future for the remaining areas to be completed (Cathedral area, Barrack Square, O’Connell Square, Bank Place). We trust that the long-term benefits as delivered under this project will far outlive the memory of the challenges currently being navigated as the works proceed throughout 2025,” said O’Grady.
