Laois County Council have announced the closure of a road along Rathdowney's town square, to allow for regeneration works.

The square Rathdowney will be closed off from Monday August 18 for nine weeks, following the allocation of a €213,000 fund for regeneration and resurfacing works.

From O'Malley's pub to the Parochial Hall, there will be a full removal of the existing road, with a new road to be laid down. 

The square will also see a 'pedestrian friendly' area created near O'Malley's pub.

Road closures will be in place on approach to and including Rathdowney Town Square and on surrounding roads, L-15572, R433, R435.

Pictured: O'Malley's corner, Rathdowney

"We want to make the square a place people will want to spend their time, not to just park their car for the day," Rathdowney Fine Gael Cllr John King told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"We want to create a nice ambience with more seating, while keeping the existing amount of parking. We want Rathdowney to be a friendly place for all," Cllr King explained.

"We used to have markets and meetings in the square, it is now used as a car park. People aren't always in favour of change, but we need a recreational area in the town, somewhere for people to meet and relax, and watch the world go by," he said.

This project is being carried out by Laois County Council’s area office in collaboration with the Regeneration Team.

A €50,000 grant was also allocated for the redesign of Rathdowney's town square, with a new design currently in the works.

The roadworks follow the development of a Town First Plan for Rathdowney, which examined the town's challenges and potential, making suggestions for improvements and paving the way for grant applications.

"I welcome the beginning of works, I raised this proposal a long time ago. The road is in poor condition due to heavy traffic travelling to and from the meat factory. We also hope to install a crossing outside the meat factory yard," Cllr King said.

Cllr King explained that these works will be carried out with 'as little disruption as possible', and that deliveries to local businesses will be facilitated throughout these works.

"Diversions will be in place, you just won't be able to drive up along the square past the Card Stand," he said.

"We thank people for their cooperation, and ask that they can accept a short-term inconvenience for a long-term benefit," Cllr King finished.

Laois County Council have said that local access will be facilitated along the square where possible.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused," they said.

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