Laois village gets new streetscape scheme
Pictured at the launch in Ballinakill are: Back (l to r): Loretta Mansfield (Ballinakill Tidy Towns), Roger Hamilton, Micheal Hyland, Ger Dunphy, Liam O'Shaughnessy, (O'Shaughnessy Bar), Seamus Drury (Drury's Bar and Ballinakill Christmas Lights Committee), Bernie Dunphy, Niav Riley (Market Sq Studios) , Ken Walshe. Front: Denise Rainey (Town Regeneration Officer), Jane Bergin, (Ballinakill Cookery School), Dom Reddin (LCC Business Support Unit), Marie O'Shaughnessy (O'Shaughnessy Bar), Nicola Doyle (McGrath's food store), Moira Brennan (Brennan's Bar), Bridget Hamm and Catherine Guidera (LCC clerical officer)
A STREETSCAPE painting scheme has been launched for Ballinakill, as the beautiful village gets set for major enhancement this year.
The scheme offers grants of up to €1,000 to property owners, businesses and residents to paint and upgrade building façades, within a designated area in the village centre.
As part of a Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS), the upgrade project launched on 23 February is part of a wider public realm enhancement costing almost €300,000, which is due to begin in historic Market Square this spring or early summer.
At the launch of the painting scheme, Laois Co Council’s Town Regeneration Officer Denise Rainey said the project reflected the value of cooperation at community level, thanks to collaborations with Ballinakill Community Development Association and Tidy Towns.
She said: “Ballinakill is a town with great character and this scheme gives residents and business owners an opportunity to add to that sense of pride. We encourage everyone in the eligible area to get involved and help showcase Ballinakill at its best.”
Eligible applicants may apply for up to 75 per cent of painting costs, with a maximum grant of €1,000. Successful applicants must cover the full cost of the works before claiming reimbursement. The scheme is open to both residential and commercial properties, including vacant premises.
Applicants must complete an online form, provide a recent colour photograph of the property and submit one contractor quotation.
The closing date for applications is Friday, 1 May at 4pm and works must be completed by 31 August, with final drawdown claims due by 18 September.
The scheme is administered by the council’s Business Support Unit and is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, alongside Laois Co Council.
Meanwhile, work on the Market Square enhancement scheme is due to start in the second quarter (April-June) of this year. The village was granted €297,000 for the project just before last Christmas, under the TVRS.
The regeneration of Market Square will include improved paving, landscaping and outdoor seating, together with upgrades to lighting and disabled parking bays.
It will be a major boost for the picturesque village, which proudly represented Laois in the 2022 IPB All Island Pride of Place competition.
