Our Balbriggan 2019 – 2025 Executive Summary Our Future Introduction - Executive Summary

The future of Our Balbriggan is set When asked to name the thing that initiatives for the ¤20million-plus to be transformed thanks to a plan people most valued about Balbriggan, rejuvenation plan – an ambitious BALBRIGGAN that has been shaped by you, the the fi ve most popular words used new vision for the town. residents of the town. were beach, community, people, HAS BEEN ONE OF sea and harbour. “We couldn’t have dreamed of Our Main Street and its surrounding this level of response, with a huge IRELAND’S FASTEST areas look set for a massive By connecting all of these, and section of the community getting GROWING TOWNS 21,722 24,611 transformation following the creating a properly functioning town involved to imagine the possibilities Our Balbriggan survey, which was centre, we can build a bright future in a transformed Balbriggan,” said taken by over 4,000 local people. in a town with fabulous assets and Professor MacCraith. This once homogeneous and close TOWN SETTLEMENT BALBRIGGAN RURAL a diverse and rapidly-growing knit Irish Town of approximately POPULATION & URBAN ELECTORAL Over 25% of the local population talent base. “We now have a strong set of 8,500 inhabitants (Census, (CENSUS 2016) DISTRICTS (CENSUS 2016) aged over 11 took part in the survey priorities such as the redevelopment 1996) has grown rapidly in the to prioritise a list of suggested 70% of locals chose the development of the main street and reimagining In the same period improvements for the Our Balbriggan of leisure experiences around the the harbour which will transform intervening years to a present day That’s an increase (1991-2016): 2019-2015 Rejuvenation Plan. harbour, river, coastline, and local the town, realising its full potential. town settlement population of of 194% since 1991 castles as the highest priority in 21,722 (Census, 2016) or 24,611 if Ireland’s population These priorities will now become developing the town economically. “Balbriggan as a community has the full electoral districts of Urban reality, this summary document come together with the group of grew by 35% ’s contains a map of the key The proposed developments to stakeholders, led by Fingal County and Rural are considered. grew by 94% rejuvenation initiatives with Balbriggan’s existing amenities Council, to engage in a collaborative accompanying timelines, which have include the transformation of and unifi ed way to prioritise the ideas been directly infl uenced by the results Bremore Castle into a premier which will best address the socio of the Our Balbriggan survey. visitor destination, as well as a new economic challenges of the town.” greenway connecting Balbriggan Transforming the Main Street and and Skerries. The conversation is only starting – you connecting it to a reimagined Harbour can follow the progress of the plan area were your top choices across all In order to create a strong and and get involved through any of the age groups in the public realm and inclusive community in Balbriggan, Our Balbriggan social media channels, placemaking pillar of a survey which social spaces for young people to the blogs on balbriggan.ie or simply BALBRIGGAN IS will become a model for towns around congregate, increased safety and by posting about your town and using THE YOUNGEST LARGE the country. policing, festivals and events to #ourbalbriggan. promote integration, and more TOWN IN IRELAND From a menu of potential sports facilities were seen as the Our Balbriggan – it’s our future. improvements, there was an four most important factors To download the Our Balbriggan overwhelming desire to redevelop 2019 – 2025 Rejuvenation Plan go the heart of the Main Street opening A Balbriggan leadership group, to www.balbriggan.ie, the full version up the centre of the town to Millpond chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, contains a comprehensive set of Park and the Bracken River, with new President, City University, socio-economic plans and actions. landscaped civic amenities. had prepared a menu of different 30.5% 30.8 OF THE POPULATION YEARS ARE BETWEEN 0-14 YEARS

AVERAGE AGE OF RESIDENT IN BALBRIGGAN By comparison the average age is: 75% 37 YEARS NATIONALLY OF BALBRIGGAN’S POPULATION IS 44 YEARS OF AGE OR 34 YEARS IN FINGAL YOUNGER – NATIONALLY THIS FIGURE IS 63%

The Our Balbriggan 2019 - 2025 Rejuvenation Plan is available at www.balbriggan.ie Town Rejuvenation Map BREMORE REGIONAL PARK

R132 1 - 2 YEARS 1 RAILWAY VIADUCT AND RNLI BOATHOUSE

Up lighting of viaducts all year round. Restoration and refurbishment of the RNLI Boathouse for social, community and commercial use. Develop social and enterprise offerings and place making events in Railway Viaduct arches. 5

2 - 4 YEARS 2 BREMORE CASTLE

Spectacular visitor attraction. The restored castle will be open to the public and large groups with a FLEMINGTON LN banqueting offering. The site will include exhibition 2 MARTELLO space, possibility of a cookery school, beautifully TOWER IRISH SEA restored walled garden with restaurant/café. H A M L E T L N 2 - 4 YEARS 3 REIMAGINE THE HARBOUR AREA

A leisure destination which makes the most of its CHIEFTAIN’S scenic location, attracting walkers, visitors and WAY diners. A place where people meet and linger BALBRIGGAN LIGHTHOUSE and enjoy the authentic experience of a small CASTLEMILL TRAIN STATION working fi shing port nestled into a walled harbour, SHOPPING CENTRE overlooking a wonderful beach, connecting with 3 MOYLARAGH RD a rejuvenated quay street, main street and other 7 leisure and tourism opportunities. THE BACK STRAND REDEVELOP THE HEART OF FLEMINGTON 4 2 - 4 YEARS 4 C H A P E L S T THE MAIN STREET COMMUNITY CENTRE 6 Create a new street edge by demolishing single

residential dwelling, improving visibility and DR DS O NL Y E R YR AH access to river, landscaped green, water features, pathways, planting and event space. Re-purpose CLONARD CLONARD MILL POND existing derelict buildings, in line with overall C L O N A R D R D plan, maintaining existing facade andCROSS features and HILL PARK attracting new social and economic enterprises. R127

2 - 4 YEARS 5 BREMORE REGIONAL AMENITY PARK MILLFIELD SHOPPING CENTRE CHARLIE MOORE HAMPTON MEMORIAL PARK COVE A premier regional park destination with landscaped LIGHT features, walkways and world class play facilities. INDUSTRY Amenity to include restoration of , Boathouse, public bath area and Bells Cottage. SS PETER & Elevated connectivity with beach ramps, cycle way, P A UL’S CHURCH GREEN WAY enhanced seating, art installations and kiosk space. LIGHT LIGHT INDUSTRY INDUSTRY 2 - 4 YEARS 6 TRANSFORM QUAY STREET140KM

Widen footpaths and increase fl ow and visibility from main street to a transformed Quay Street,R122 R132 Viaduct and Harbour area. Maintain car park amenity, BRACKEN RIVER remove kerbing, enabling its usage in evenings and weekends as a quality civic and meeting space. Develop linear park featuring seating, planting and CASTLELANDS other green features along the river bank. NAUL COMMUNITY CENTRE 3 - 5 YEARS 7 RAILWAY STREET 9KM

Improvement schemeDUBLIN designed to provide better connectivity andAIRPORT fl ow between beach (new ramp), station and main29KM street. Streetscape improvements, DUBLIN signage and refurbishment scheme. CITY 33KM 3 - 5 YEARS 8 BALBRIGGAN TO SKERRIES GREENWAY BALBRIGGAN ARDGILLAN CASTLE GOLF CLUB Initial focus on Castle (Bremore) to Castle (Ardgillan)M1 Coastal Way. Cycle & Pedestrian facilities and LADY STAIRS upgrades to connecting residential areas. Expanding upwards to Gormanstown and below to Skerries. ‘Balbriggan has so much Enabling Four key themes emerged from the people of Balbriggan and how they viewed the potential. We need to Factors rejuvenation project. These insights will guide build on the positive implementation moving forward. history we have here. Exciting times ahead.’

Emma Mulvany & Derrick O’Rourke 01 02

The ideas within "public realm and The development of a ‘local placemaking", are key to successful economy’ is vital as a means rejuvenation and to making of creating social cohesion and Balbriggan a "destination". local wealth building.

03 04

Celebrate the diversity of A self-sustaining and community Balbriggan, own the difference. driven renewal will require strong This is critical in forging a shared leadership and commitment from sense of place: An identity which the local authority, involvement is refl ective of its unique history and partnership with residents and heritage, but also fully and strong public services. embraces the new.

IN ADDITION Resources: A dedicated manager, with Proactive Land & Property Management: TO THESE, an adequately resourced and skilled Acquire land and property (with sanction staff team responsible to a board of where necessary), including a review FOUR MORE management for the delivery of all of public assets, with the purpose of KEY ENABLERS aspects of a SMART implementation plan. more fully realising social and economic WERE IDENTIFIED: benefi ts for the town. Communications & Awareness: Further develop the Our Balbriggan Transport & Connectivity: Improved branding. Strengthen awareness of sustainable transport network across the town's unique selling points, the town, with specifi c reference to celebrate success, promote community pedestrians and cyclists and connectivity involvement, ownership and a stronger between the town's center and sense of place. residential areas. Improved linkages to and from the town particularly in relation to employment and further education. Name one thing you currently really value about Balbriggan?

People place huge value on the beach. Community and people were 2nd and 3rd, followed by sea and harbour.

A Reimagined Harbour - impression indicative only.

Have we missed anything important to you?

2241 of the 4,001 participants (56%) of the survey left a response to this question.

The word cloud displays the most commonly occurring words, a swimming pool is by a considerable distance the most frequent occurrence.

Fingal County Council responded immediately committing to identify a site for a swimming pool development in the Castleland masterplan, and to working with private operators and other interested parties to make it happen.

The full public engagement results are available at www.balbriggan.ie

Reimagined Viaduct & Quay Street area, impression indicative only. 20 things in the fi rst 12 months

Establish a place-making Consult and publish a fi nal Install lighting inside the Consult on a biodiversity 01 and social innovation fund. 06 masterplan for the development 11 town's historic viaduct bridge. 16 plan for Balbriggan as a of Bremore Regional & model of excellence. Amenities Park.

Develop an annual Education, Improve George's (town) Square. Secure inward investment Subject to planning permission the tender 02 Training & Skills festival. 07 12 and jobs into Stephenstown 1 7 for the construction of cycle routes on the Industrial lands. Harry Reynolds Road to be completed, the beginning of an improved sustainable transport network across the town.

Increase the number of quality Increase the number of public Establish an "Our Balbriggan" Increase the number of 03 public festivals and events. 08 play and exercise facilities in 13 operations team with responsibility 18 commissioned public art the town. for general upkeep including cleaner installations. and greener environmental initiatives.

Establish Ireland's fi rst Progress the process of Publish provisional design Upgrade Balbriggan Library, 04 Grassroots Early Years 09 acquisitions of derelict or vacant 14 options for the Ardgillan to 19 with a particular focus on Arts Festival (0-6yrs). lands, buildings or dwellings Bremore section of the Fingal digital technology and in the town centre area. Coastal Greenway. improved meeting spaces.

Establish an "Our Balbriggan" Start refurbishing Improve the harbour area. Publish an "Our Balbriggan" 05 town centre shop front with staff 10 the RNLI Boat House. 15 20 directory of services. responsible for the delivery of the actions in the plan. The conversation is only starting – you can follow the progress of the plan and get involved through any of the Our Balbriggan social media channels, the blogs on balbriggan.ie or simply by posting about your town and using #ourbalbriggan.

For further information please email [email protected]

Re-imagining Quay Street & Bracken River green corridor - impression indicative only.