Castlerea

Population 2,620 (Census 2022)

The Castlerea Town Centre First Plan outlines a strategy for the towns future revitalisation. It aims to create a more attractive, welcoming and resilient town centre by addressing vacancy and dereliction, improving the public realm, and stimulating economic growth and development.

The Plan was developed through a collaborative process involving Roscommon County Council, the Castlerea Town Team, and architecture and urbanism practice Studio Myco. Extensive stakeholder engagement was central to the Plan’s development. Activities such as co-design workshops, surveys, and stakeholder interviews gathered wide-ranging views on the towns physical, social, economic and cultural qualities.

This process, alongside in-depth research, analysis and policy alignment, underpinned the development of the Plan’s overarching vision, themes, objectives, and key projects – ensuring it is rooted in real stakeholder insight. The delivery of the Vision is supported by an implementation plan (Chapter 5: Enabling the Place) which outlines timescales, budgets, lead and supporting stakeholders for each project/objective, as well as possible funding sources.

Whilst the Plan takes into account the wider context of Castlerea Town, its primary focus is on the town core (see map opposite). This central area has been defined as the key study area to ensure that interventions and proposals are targeted towards enhancing the vitality, functionality, and overall experience of the town centre. By concentrating on this core, the Plan aims to address the needs of local businesses, visitors, and residents, while also considering the town centres relationship with its surrounding areas.