Facelift for Bailieborough town

Regeneration is on the cards for Bailieborough in the coming months with the hope it will “breathe new life” into the area, writes Gemma Good.

Bailieborough was picked as County Cavan’s pilot town for the national Town Regeneration Scheme and it’s anticipated more will follow.

Appointed in January, Caroline Brady is overseeing the project: “Key to all of this and the success of any plan is about consultation with the local community,” she said.

“Ultimately it’s them who know their community best.”

Caroline has developed a real “grá” for the former market town since she began her work there. A consultation meeting took place in the Bailie Hotel on May 30, when ideas put forward by townspeople and explored.

A survey was also distributed with 90 responses recorded.

“There was really good engagement, people want to see good things happening in Bailieborough,” Caroline beamed.

Following this consultation “a whole broad spectrum of projects” are in planning, including digitalising the town and implementing a climate action project, increasing biodiversity, re-using vacant shop units and providing housing for people above these shops, increasing parking facilities, installing more seating and giving the town a facelift, the latter of which is currently underway.

“It’s a great town, it’s a busy town and there’s really good businesses in the town but I suppose people think the town is a little bit jaded.”

Buildings in the town are currently being painted under the ‘Street Scape Scheme’.

“That is a first step in the whole rejuvenation of the town,” Caroline explained.

“There’s really positive feedback from people on the streets saying how well the town looks.”

The overall aim of the project is to increase footfall into Bailieborough in the form of new industry and tourism.

The second phase known as the ‘Town Centre First’ plan will be launched in September and implemented.

“That’s where the real work will start,” said Caroline, outlining the challenge of trying to match funding to projects.

“The approach we are taking with this is - slow and steady will win the race,” she said.

She thanked the community for their feedback and enthusiasm to date.

“The support and buy-in so far has been phenomenal,” she praised.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for the town to set a benchmark in other towns,” she concluded.