Green and Blue Spaces
| TOPIC | ACTION | TASKS | TIMEFRAME | RESOURCE REQUIREMENT | STAKEHOLDERS | OUTCOME |
| Maximising the use of Blue and Green Spaces | Develop seating and picnic areas by the Shannon. | Identify premium locations for both seating and picnic areas.
Identify land ownership on these sites and any insurance issues that may arise, arrange appropriate insurance cover if needed. If this is not possible then review locations. Identify types of street furniture that would work for Banagher Design and construct seating and picnic areas as always with regard for usability particularly for those with reduced mobility Develop a plan for maintenance of these areas. |
2019 | External support – technical
Financial €60,000 |
Banagher Tidy Towns
Local Authority Offaly West – CE Scheme Offaly Local Development Company – TUS Scheme and LEADER |
New or improvement works undertaken as part of town enhancement project
Additional recreational space created which complements existing amenities; facilitating greater access and usage of River Shannon |
| Controlled Parking at the Marina | Identify stakeholders in this issue, consult with these stakeholders and develop an agreed plan for both parking control and the means in which it can be enforced.
Follow any legal procedures required to implement the plan. Carry out any physical work required, then publicise start date of control plan. Review after a year and make any necessary changes. |
2018 | Staff resourcing
Business expertise |
Waterways Ireland
Local Authority Business Community |
Appropriate parking facilities developed that counteracts the current problems with parking at the Marina | |
| Maintenance and Streetscape plan for the town – cleaning, planting, painting, green and blue space usage | Set up stakeholders committee to address this issue including OLDC, L.A., + area engineer, tidy towns, C.E. Scheme, schools.
Publicise this venture. Carry out detailed survey of street, mapping all minor and major issues detracting from the environment. Develop work plan to address issues and meet on a regular basis to review implementation of plan. Identify any blockage and how to remove it. Review progress after 12 months and present to community. Include work plan in the Tidy Towns application. |
2018 | Volunteers
Staffing resources Finance €50,000 |
Offaly West – CE Scheme
Banagher Tidy Towns Local Authority Offaly Local Development Company – TUS and LEADER Business community Property owners UCD Eco Health Project |
Streetscape and landscape spaces developed that are vibrant, atheistically pleasing and provide good quality recreational spaces for the local community and visitors – building build of place and improving health and well being |
Amenity Development
| TOPIC | ACTION | TASKS IN ORDER | TIMEFRAME | RESOURCES REQUIRED | STAKEHOLDERS | OUTCOME |
| Capital/Infrastructure developments to provide quality amenities | Develop fishing platforms to allow for angling on the River Shannon | Identify locations for platforms adjacent to River Shannon
Identify ownership of land on which the platforms will be erected, should issues with ownership of land at these locations arise then resolve access where possible, if this is impossible then review location. Identify any insurance issues that may arise and if necessary review cost of appropriate cover. Design platforms to facilitate all users including those with a disability. Construct platforms to the desired design and agree any maintenance issues for the future. |
2020 | Staff support
Finance €40,000 |
Local businesses
Waterways Ireland Offaly Local Development Company Local Authority |
Series of fishing platforms developed adjacent to River Shannon that build on currently angling sporting events; encourage additional events to be developed and increases Banagher’s share of the angling tourism market. |
| Develop looped walking/cycling routes | Identify possible routes and ownership of same.
Consult with landowners and other stakeholders Develop package of walks that can be signed and offered to locals and visitors alike e.g. Slí na Slainte routes. |
2021 | Technical knowledge | Rural Recreational Officer
Offaly Local Development Company Landowners Local Authority – Smart Travel National Trails Office Waterways Ireland |
Access to walking and cycling routes developed and promoted for visitors and locals alike – enhancing visitor and locals experience of the community. | |
| Development of floating boardwalk linking Banagher Bridge to Fort Eliza on the water | Research models of floating boardwalks in other areas / countries
Consult with landowners – Waterways Ireland and Offaly County Council Engage with professionals in this field on the design of the infrastructure Develop full pricing for such a development – construction, maintenance, insurance Construct boardwalk |
2021 | Finance
€500,000 |
Waterways Ireland
Local Authority Banagher Development Group – initiate project |
Highly innovative walkway developed that will provide Banagher with a unique selling point; adding new dimension of usage and access for all to the River Shannon and Forte Eliza. | |
| Provide access and opportunities for sport adventure in Banagher | Identify potential stakeholders regarding types of sports adventure which might be based in Banagher.
Consult stakeholders on nature and location of access required to accommodate said sports. Set up group to pursue the provision of access including statutory bodies. |
2019 | Staff resources | Waterways Ireland
Businesses OLDC Sports Partnership Failte Ireland |
Establishment of Banagher as Soft Adventure Hub in Offaly based on its access to range of soft sporting adventure activities both land and water based. |
Education and Training
| TOPIC | ACTION | TASKS | TIMEFRAME | RESOURCES REQUIRED | STAKEHOLDERS | OUTCOME |
| Education and Training | To maximise the opportunities within educational facilities in the community for community based training initiatives | Link with Laois/Offaly E.T.B. to explore training needs and opportunities.
Identify others who may be potential partners in the future e.g. AIT; Failte Ireland; Local Enterprises Develop working group to manage / coordinate activities Develop pilot programmes in areas that are relevant to Banagher e.g. outdoor activities; tourism, engineering, construction |
2019 | Staff support
Finance €40,000 |
Laois Offaly Education Training Board
Training institutions Business community Educational working group |
Development of an outreach campus for education programmes that utilises the natural, built environment as well as the indigenous enterprises in Banagher. |
| Explore potential for 3rd level outreach centre | Undertake scoping study on St. Rynaghs College of Further Education – current and future potential
Discuss with ETB and 3rd level institutes in relevant catchment area their future plans Based on discussion pilot rollout of outreach 3rd level training programme |
2022 | Agency and institutional engagement
Facilitation support for process* |
Laois Offaly Educational Training Board
3rd Level Educational Institutions Offaly Local Development Company Educational working group |
Development of educational hub in Banagher that targets participation in adult and 3rd level education.
Maximising built resources in the community for this purpose. |
