Kent Street (Clonakilty) Integrated Urban Strategy

Kent Street (Clonakilty) Integrated Urban Strategy is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-27.

Kent Street is a richly historical street situated in the heart of Clonakilty.  Cork County Council (CCC) own seven properties on the street, meaning that this street presents a unique opportunity within the Town Centre First framework to transform the urban centre of Clonakilty, enhancing it as a vibrant place for people to live, play, work, and visit.  

To successfully realise the societal value of this street and surrounding public infrastructure, it must seamlessly connect with the entire ecosystem of businesses and attractions within Clonakilty.  Within the confines of the existing built heritage of this street, we want to work with the community to transform Kent Street into a beautiful space for the people of Clonakilty.  In line with the Town Centre First Framework and New European Bauhaus principles, the redevelopment would be community-led, involve multiple disciplines, and focus on the delivery of shared infrastructure that is sustainable, beautiful, and accessible.

Kent Street runs parallel to Clonakilty’s main street (Pearse Street), opening onto the redeveloped Emmet Square, and Rossa Street. This is a cultural hotspot in Clonakilty, demonstrated by 10 NBHS listings on Kent Street. The street offers ample potential for renewal, linking an underused space with surrounding businesses and built heritage.

We have successfully secured €200,000 of THRIVE Funding and consultants have been engaged to develop an Integrated Urban Strategy (IUS) for Kent Street.  The Kent Street IUS will drive a huge improvement in the heart of Clonakilty town, facilitating a greater tourism offering, economic growth, community engagement, and heritage preservation.

This strategy will encourage social cohesion by revitalising community spaces, promoting mixed developments, and creating accessible public amenities. The vision for Kent Street is a beautiful, pedestrian-friendly zone with communal amenities and businesses, fostering interactions among residents and visitors alike.

Economically, the IUS can stimulate local businesses by attracting investment and tourism to the town-centre. Redevelopment efforts may include the provision of repurposed public buildings, improved streetscape, and greater access to the river, thereby enhancing the street's appeal as a commercial hub.

The output of the IUS will be the identification of viable, community-supported end-uses for the buildings on Kent, and a clear prioritisation of projects by the community.