A major plan unveiled to untap the potential of historic coastal town Glin 

Senior Executive Engineer Ben Noonan, Cathaoirleach Newcastle west Municipal District John Sheahan and Chairman Glin Development John Anthony Culhane were pictured at the launch of the Glin Public Realm and Tourism Plan at Glin Library.

A major plan unveiled to untap the potential of historic coastal town Glin 

A nine-point plan to realise the enormous untapped potential of the historic coastal town of Glin has been unveiled in a Public Realm & Tourism Plan for the West Limerick town.

The Limerick City and County Council plan will seek to capitalise on the many assets of the heritage town, which is rich in history, culture,  and folklore and offers a wide variety of amenities and activities throughout the year.

As a prosperous and industrious town, it boasts a wide range of services for the local community and for the ever-increasing tourists travelling the Wild Atlantic Way.

Glin is on the Shannon Estuary Way, the first in what is hoped to be a series of drives which will be developed by Fáilte Ireland in collaboration with local stakeholders to encourage visitors to discover the variety of inland visitor experiences as they travel along the Wild Atlantic Way.

This project is a key step in consolidating Glin’s unique history and securing its future potential for the benefit of all.

Officially launching the plan Cathaoirleach of the Newcastle West Municipal District Cllr John Sheahan said: “The project has the potential to transform the town. Today is a great day for Glin. I believe these proposals will be hugely beneficial to this stunning town here on the Shannon Estuary.”

“I’ve always believed in Glin’s potential and that it has largely been untapped but the execution of this plan will go a long way to realising this opportunity.  Glin is one of Ireland’s best kept secrets.  It is located on the stunning Shannon Estuary, an official Fáilte Ireland loop of the Wild Atlantic Way and the immediate reaction of people who come here for the first time is very much ‘why did I not hear of Glin before’.  This plan will go about address that as well.”

Gordon Daly, Director of Social Development with Limerick City and County Council added: “The plan would not have been possible without the input and enthusiasm of the local community. Limerick City and County Council, in partnership with Glin Development Association, commissioned this plan at the end of 2016 and it’s very exciting for all involved to see it being published today.”

“Our priority now is to move onto implementation and ensuring that the potential of this hugely attractive town is finally realised.”

The plan sets out a series of actions to develop nine projects that will have a transformative impact on the town.  They are:

• Arrival & Welcome
• Heritage & Branding
• Streetscape & Signage
• Safety & Connections
• Community Care
• Town Park & Pitches
• Town Centre Square & Events
• Knights Walk, Forest & Castle Grounds
• Pier & Waterfront

Further detail on the proposals as follows:

Arrival & Welcome

• Welcome signage, de-clutter & evaluation of required signage
• Bespoke gateway signage & public artwork
• Street tree planting at gateway locations
• Public realm improvements

Heritage & Branding

• Conservation Management Plan for heritage sites
• Heritage looped walks & interpretation, Trail mapping & App development
• Old castle phased re-opening
• Interactive heritage museum and tourist information point/building
• Online branding
• Physical branding

Streetscape & Signage

• Dereliction & building improvement strategy (condition report of existing buildings & sites, prioritisation of key buildings & sites) Integrated improvement strategy (removal of superfluous overhead cables, under-grounding of cables & -upgraded sewerage system, upgraded roads & footpaths, review of fixtures, fittings, lighting, trees, planting & furniture)
  Orientation and way-finding signage (signage de-clutter, the commission of bespoke suite of orientation signage) 

Safety & Connections 

• Study to explore additional pedestrian crossing(s) Footpath extension in prioritised locations Integrated cycle & footpath scheme
• Commission traffic management plan (relocation of 50km/h extension along N69 Coast Road) 
• Improved existing walking routes (improved signage & way-finding, path materials, access locations, furniture, the feasibility of extending looped walks) 

Community Care 

• Feasibility study for community care (short & long term considerations within the village) 

Town Park & Pitches

• Improvement to Town Park (reconfiguration of gym equipment into ‘pump park’, additional gym equipment) 
• Feasibility study of tennis court conversion to multi-use courts
• Study to explore small grass pitch located to the north of Park
  Extension of existing slipway
• Feasibility study of pitch conversation to all- weather pitches Improvements & upgrade of clubhouses, changing facilities, seating areas Proposed looped running tracks located at GAA pitches 

Town Centre Square & Events 

• Feasibility of proposed central shared market space  (upgraded high quality surface materials, integrated wifi & electrical points, integrated fixtures for canopies and marquees) 
• Co-ordinated events and festival calendar (collation of existing events, developing opportunities for new events, promotion of calendar within the community and for visitors) 

Knights Walk, Forest & Castle Grounds

• Improvements to existing Knights Walk  (upgraded paths where necessary, additional sheltered benches, wildlife boxes and baths) 
• Extensions of existing walks
• Proposed short & long term enterprises proposed (BMX / mountain bike trails through forest, forest park with play equipment & zip wires, tree top adventure walks, small camp-site / glamping pods, activities such as archery and horse-riding)
• Feasibility study for Castle Grounds (potential host of heritage events and festivals, inclusion in routes of sporting events course)
  Feasibility project for sewerage treatment and integrated wetland in Castle Grounds 

Pier & Waterfront 

• Pier extensions (permanent stepped platform & diving area, corner steps from the pier and proposed changing area) 
• Improved public facilities (changing rooms, outdoor showering & public toilets, bins, seating & lighting, boat storage area, improved picnic facilities) 
• Proposed boardwalk / promenade along the shore
• Proposed additional water sport events & seasonal pontoons /slides Future development of a small unit for water sport equipment & bike rental Extended footpath connection from town along N69 Coast Road Upgraded path connection along Knockaranna Way
• Proposed slipway

For more information on Glin, go here

For more stories on Glin, go here