New signage and a splash of colour set for Macroom GRANT OF €22,500 FOR PAINT SCHEME ON MACROOM’S CASTLE ST AND NEW ST

THERE is over €22,000 in the kitty for a painting, signage and improvement scheme focusing on areas of Castle Street and New Street in Macroom.

At the Blarney-Macroom municipal district meeting, Municipal District Officer Marie O’Leary told councillors that tenants and owners can receive a grant up to 50 per cent of painting. However, if 10 or more people come together there is a grant of 60 per cent.

This is being undertaken in conjunction with the dereliction programme which aims to improve the look of both Castle Street and New Street. This programme of works is also being undertaken in conjunction with Macroom Tidy Towns Committee. The programme of works was widely welcomed by councillors. In total, €22,500 of grant aid is available.

Cllr Des O’Grady (SF) said he had walked around the town prior to the meeting and noticed there was only one sign in the town ‘as gaeilge’, which was on a dentist’s premises.

“It is nice n a municipal district, especially as this district is in the Gaeltacht, to have signs in Irish,” he said.

As part of the shop signage programme, there is the provision of advice and some limited financial assistance to encourage more traditional type shop fronts. The aim is to move away from garish plastic signage to more traditional types that are more in line with the nature and character of the town.

Cllr Ted Lucey (FG) said that if a person wanted to put up a sign in Irish then it was a good thing for the town to do so.

This view was also held by Cllr Kevin Conway (Ind), who said it was paramount to support and promote the heritage of the town.

After the meeting, there was a launch of the paint scheme which was attended by Cllr Bob Ryan (FF) chairman of the Blarney/Macroom municipal

At the launch of the Blarney/Macroom Municipal District Streetscape, Painting, Signage and Improvement Scheme were (from left): Senior Area Engineer James Dwyer, Independent Cllr Kevin Conway, John Lyons of Macroom Tidy Towns, Cllr Michael Creed FG, Cllr Ted Lucey FG, Martin Coughlan of Macroom Tidy Towns, Chairperson Blarney & Macroom Municipal District, Cllr Bob Ryan FF and Municipal District Officer Marie O’Leary pictured at the iconic Castle Demesne in Macroom to launch the Streetscape, Painting, Signage and Improvement Scheme 2017. Picture: John Delea.

district along with Cllr Ted Lucey (FG), Cllr Michael Creed (FG) and Cllr Kevin Conway (Ind) along with members of Macroom Tidy Towns Committee, Martin Coughlan and John Lyons and Marie O’Leary, municipal district officer and John Dwyer, senior area engineer.

Interested applicants for grant aid should contact the municipal district office in the Town Hall in Macroom for an application for. The closing date is Friday, May 26 at 4pm.