Tuesday, July 04, 2017

Proposals for redeveloping Kilcullen market square

View from the north side of the square.
A presentation by architect James Hennessy on Thursday night will offer some expert thoughts on the redevelopment of the market square, writes Brian Byrne.

The architect has been commissioned by Kildare County Council to make suggestions, as part of an improvement to the square area which would be of benefit to the town.

This follows a meeting last night between a recently-formed Square Upgrade Committee and four local councillors, at which a video reflecting the views of townspeople and businesses was shown.

View from the west across the river.
The Committee was established with the encouragement of Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin, and the councillors who were in attendance last evening are being invited onto the original team comprising chairperson Antoinette Buckley of Kilcullen Community Action; Noel Clare KCA; Eoin Houlihan KCA; Laura Bowen Architect; and local videographer Gareth Landy.

View from the bridge.
The councillors are Robert Power, Fintan Brett, Anne Breen, and Sorcha O'Neill.

"The idea is to make it a public space with views onto the river, and a meeting point and a space for everyone to enjoy," says Antoinette Buckley. "The river is a fantastic amenity and at present is hidden and not used through lack of proper development."

View from the east side.
Architect Laura Bowen and the Committee will work alongside KCC to put a plan together and hopefully secure funding to action the plan.

Thursday night's meeting begins at 7pm, in the Town Hall.

ED Note: A charter to hold fairs and markets in the square was granted in 1681, when that part of Kilcullen was officially in Carnalway. Fairs were held during each year on February 2, March 25, June 22, September 29, October 2, and December 8 until they finished in 1916 when the potato market collapsed.

View from the south side.

View looking towards the bridge.

Flower beds maintained by Kilcullen Tidy Towns.