Laois town's Town Team back in action with big ideas

A Laois town's business and community leaders have regrouped with the sole aim of reinvigorating their town.

Mountrath Town Team has been re-established after a break during COVID and it is committed to revitalising the town centre, on both social and economic fronts.

From cycle paths to social clubs and street furniture, it's a bright future ahead says chairman Mark Sheeran.

"There is a lot of positive stuff happening. We have the cottage market, the BloomHQ centre, a very good school, many active clubs and societies, the Tidy Towns group and probably the best St Patrick's Day parade in Leinster.

"There are lots of initiatives that can help Mountrath with the support of Laois County Council, where we can get funding to install new street furniture, street art, and help businesses to improve shopfronts," he said.

The team includes representatives from Mountrath Tidy Towns, businesses, clubs, Laois County Council and a Garda Liaison Officer.

"We encourage all local clubs to come with their ideas of what they think the town needs, and we can put it all into a plan.

"We are looking at bicycle lanes and at traffic calming, with the amount of trucks that come through.  Once we have a plan we can work off it. Our door is always open, we want to facilitate people who want to get stuck in and help out," Mr Sheeran said.

The Team aims to build on the success of the recently launched “Sustainable Communities Plan”. It is supported by Laois County Council Town Regeneration Officer, Denise Rainey who will work closely with the group to identify funding and implement projects.

Laois town goes Hawaii Five-0 for sparkling Christmas

Cllr James Kelly is on the team, which is meeting monthly in St Fintan's Hall.

"We are hoping to get funding from the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Our priority is in and around the square, creating cycleways, a riverwalk, outdoor seating and more facilities for our youth. 

"There has been plenty of painting of vacant shops this summer by great local volunteers, with the permission of owners. Vacancy and dereliction is still a problem but the town is fighting back," he said.