Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon — For more than five weeks, traders and residents in Ballaghaderreen have staged daily protests in the Town Square, voicing fierce opposition to a €4.5 million public realm enhancement project they fear will damage the town’s economy.
The project, led by Roscommon County Council, aims to rejuvenate the town centre with widened pedestrian areas, improved public spaces, and upgraded infrastructure. But many locals say the changes — particularly the reduction in parking and new traffic layouts — will harm trade and threaten the town’s traditional commercial character.
“This is not the Mediterranean. This is Ballaghaderreen — a business town,” said auctioneer James Kilcoyne. “The Government says they want to revive towns, but this plan is doing the opposite.”
Traders argue that the redesign, including plans to install benches and communal areas, ignores the town’s industrial and market roots. “This is an industrial town with wide streets for a reason,” said businessman Brian Mulligan. “What they’re proposing will break this town.”
The controversy has halted construction since March 10, with the contractor leaving the site amid growing community opposition. The project is approximately 40% complete, and €2.4 million has already been spent.
Roscommon County Council defended the initiative, calling it a “once-in-a-lifetime transformational opportunity.” Officials said the plan was informed by public consultation and approved in October 2021. They also stressed efforts to mitigate concerns, including adding at least eight new parking spaces near the square, upgrading a 72-space nearby car park, and proposing a new facility within 60 metres of the centre.
Despite these assurances, traders remain unconvinced. Businessman Padraig O’Dowd said the loss of parking will “decimate” footfall. “They want to close the square and put in benches — it’s of no use to us or our customers.”
The protests have sparked solidarity from other towns in County Roscommon facing similar development plans. Residents from Strokestown, Castlerea, and Boyle joined a recent rally in Ballaghaderreen, raising wider concerns about public realm projects being rolled out across rural Ireland.
“This might work in a suburb of Paris, but not in a market town that depends on trucks and trade,” said Independent Councillor Micheál Frain. “We’ll have beautiful footpaths, but no people walking on them.”
Cllr Frain is calling for mediation and a more balanced approach to urban design. “Common sense must prevail. We need to support business, not push it out.”
As protests continue, locals vow to keep up the pressure until the plans are revised. “No parking means no footfall,” said businessman Padraig Mulligan. “They’re biting the hands that feed them — it’s deplorable.”
