Positive update on the Longford ‘Pobal le Chéile’ project in Ballymahon

There was a hugely positive update given on the long-awaited multi-million euro ‘Pobal le Chéile’ project to councillors at last week's monthly meeting of Ballymahon Municipal District.

‘Pobal le Chéile’ will see the repurposing and refurbishment of the former Convent of Mercy Convent building and it is at final design stage and will go out to tender by the end of April with construction planned for August next year.

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Local Fianna Fáil Cllr Pat O'Toole requested an update ahead of last week's meeting and he was delighted by the response from Senior Engineer Paul Newell.

"We went for part 8 planning during the summer there and the members adopted part 8 in September and then we gave the instruction two weeks ago to our design team to proceed with a detailed design.

"That detailed design process will take the next couple of months and part of that is preparation for the tender for construction.

"The tenders for construction will go out in April and after the tender period and assessment we would be hopeful we will be starting construction in August next year.

"The project itself will take 18-to-24 months and we just have to confirm that before we go to tender."

Cllr O'Toole thanked Mr Newell and the council staff for the update.

"There is great work there and they are all massive projects with big money involved and it's great to see that in 2026 and into 2027 there will be positive [developments] to bringing these projects to fruition over that period so I thank you for that."

Cathaoirleach Cllr Martin Skelly said it was great to see there was a detailed plan going forward for Ballymahon.

"Obviously it's so important for county Longford and especially the way Ballymahon is developing."

Councillors were also given an update on the River Inny Walkway from Ballymahon Bridge to Newcastle Bridge.

Mr Newell said the council has secured a €50,000 grant as a Project Development Measure to undertake an environmental impact assessment, and a natura study with a view to applying for funding under the Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Programme in 2026.

Local Fine Gael Cllr Paul Ross said there is a 'huge amount going on in Ballymahon' and he said he was pleased by the ‘Pobal le Chéile’ and River Inny Walkway projects update and 2026 was going to be a 'big year'.

"We kind of feel there has been an information deficit as regards a number of major projects that have successfully got funding so to get that update is magnificent.

"There are a few projects we have worked on for years like the River [Inny] Walkway which we have been working on for ten years since Center Parcs Longford Forest was mentioned.”

Fianna Fáil representatives Cllr Sean Mimnagh and Cllr Mick Cahill, also both welcomed the update and the latter said it showed 'great progress' in this area.

"Just to reiterate what Pat has said, it's a message we need to get out to the people that there is a lot of great work being done."

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‘Pobal le Chéile’ has previously been described as a 'transformational regeneration project' will address the social, economic and physical needs of the town, bringing a number of vacant buildings located in the centre of the town back into use to provide enhanced family support services, a new dedicated youth club, enhanced elderly care services and a new rural working hub.

A lengthy, well-researched and well-planned application for funding was submitted by Ballymahon Town Team in December 2020 a funding allocation of €5,991,916 was announced by then Minister for Rural Affairs, Heather Humphreys in April 2021.