The Liberty Square Enhancement Project in Thurles seeks to deliver a vibrant Liberty Square at the heart of Thurles: a place to live, shop, work, socialise, play or “hang-out”. The revitalised Liberty Square will become an engine for growth in and around Liberty Square and will enhance the attractiveness of Thurles as a place to live and a place for investment / employment. The intricate project has evolved and developed over a number of years with invaluable support and input from Thurles Chamber and extensive public consultation which greatly influenced the design of the scheme.
Minister of State, Peter Burke, TD, meets local officials and Elected Representatives in September 2021 for an update on the Liberty Square, Thurles.
Phase 1: Funding was initially secured under the Urban Regeneration Development Fund to undertake a high-quality public realm enhancement scheme to the Eastern end of Liberty Square. Part 8 Planning was approved by the Elected Members of Thurles Municipal District in May, 2017 following extensive public consultation. Improvement works include: • Widening of footpaths to provide a better pedestrian environment and new high quality paving; • Realignment of carriageways to improve traffic circulation and pedestrian crossings; • Provision of one signalised and two uncontrolled pedestrian crossings; • Relocation of some on-street parking spaces to the new Liberty Square car park; • The provision of dedicated loading and short-term car parking/set down areas; • Feature lighting including smart low energy lighting; • The enhancement of Liberty Square through hard and soft landscaping measures, the undergrounding of services, civic space for markets and events and associated signage. The new Car Park off Liberty Square opened on 1st October, 2020. Land was purchased from 6 different property owners and a vacant derelict building was demolished to create an entrance and facilitate the development of the car park.
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