Major Funds Announced to Map Out Future Plans for Skibbereen

Cork County Council has been awarded €100,000 in funding to create a masterplan for the town of Skibbereen as part of plans to enhance the quality of life for residents, visitors and businesses. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, confirmed Skibbereen as one of 26 towns across the country to receive such funding which will be used to deliver Ireland's first ever Town Centre First Plans as part of the Government’s drive to reimagine and revitalise rural Ireland.

The focus of the masterplan will be on the town centre and its immediate surrounds. It will identify projects that will generate social, economic and environmental benefits for the town. The plan will also help unlock national funding streams such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan welcomed the funding, saying “Skibbereen is a fantastic, vibrant and bustling market town, known for its colourful, traditional shopfronts and buildings. The town has huge potential from a business and a tourism perspective. Skibbereen serves a broad population base, taking in rural and coastal areas as well as several inhabited islands. I know that the funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development will provide a major boost. Cork County Council will continue to work with community and businesses in Skibbereen, as well as the Council’s local Town Team who have a wealth of knowledge. It is through this collaboration and cooperation that we can reach the town's potential and achieve great things.”

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey added, “We have great plans for Skibbereen and this is an important first step. The Town Centre First Plan will be bespoke to Skibbereen - we want to revitalise the town by tackling dereliction and vacancy. There will also be a focus on decarbonisation and sustainability, maintaining a strong local economy, creating high value job opportunities and promoting compact growth. This is what rural development is all about, it is supporting places like Skibbereen to make our town and village centres more attractive places to live, work, socialise, visit and run a business.”

The Town Centre First Plan will build on the recent investment in Skibbereen by the Government and Cork County Council. The works include the recently completed Flood Defence Scheme and investment in the public realm on Main Street. The Council is also committed to continued support for the West Cork Arts Centre in Skibbereen and the ongoing work on the Historic Town Hall.