Upgrades sought for Athy's Emily Square
Cllr Dooley noted the lack of a proper pedestrian crossing to the museum and also noted the lack of a footpath on the Barrow Quay
WORKDS could be on the way to upgrade a central area of Athy, after issues with the back of Emily Square and Barrow Quay area was outlined recently.
At the most recent meeting of Athy Municipal District, Cllr Brian Dooley motioned “that the council upgrades the back of Emily Square and Barrow Quay, Athy to allow efficient parking, lighting and pedestrian crossing area for the museum.” Cllr Dooley’s motion was seconded by his Fianna Fail colleague Veralouise Behan.
A report issued by Pamela Pender, senior executive officer of strategic projects and public realm at Kildare County Council, highlighted three other projects that are in the works and indicated that there are currently no plans for upgrades at Emily Square and Barrow.
“We are working with the Municipal District Office to progress upgrades to Meeting Lane junction. There are two other projects that SPPR have on their work programme for Athy – Edmund Rice Square, which we plan to tender a feasibility study in Q1/Q2 2026 and the Dominican Lands Masterplan which is on hold pending progress of the Athy Flood Relief Scheme.”
Cllr Dooley thanked the council executive for the report, before going on to say that he wants the space to be safer, and noted that he’s “not looking for a massive amount of work here”.
He noted the lack of a proper pedestrian crossing to the museum and also noted the lack of a footpath on the Barrow Quay from Crom A Boo bridge to the courthouse on Emily Square, causing people to walk on the road. He cautioned that someone will get hit by the back of a car if a footpath is not installed.
He said the footpath would be for the benefit of pedestrians, drivers of vehicles and visitors to the Shackleton museum.
Cllr Behan as well as Cllrs Aoife Breslin and Ivan Keatley stated their support for the motion. Cllr Breslin noted the increased footfall and presence of vehicles in the area since the opening of Shackleton museum in October, noting that there were 5,000 visitors in the first four weeks after it opened.
She agreed with Cllr Dooley on the inevitability of an accident in the area between the bridge and courthouse.
A council representative present at the meeting said that he will meet local reps on site, and will look at getting work done on the issues that are of most priority however the council will not be able get everything done.
