Ballyroan sees opening of its playground and community amenity ‘Croí an Bhaile’

Amenity officially opened by Ballyroan native and Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Cllr Barry Walsh

A new playground, multi-use games area and amenity carpark has been officially opened at the former national school site in Ballyroan by Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Cllr Barry Walsh.

Named Croí an Bhaile by 4th class students from Scoil Eoin Phóil II Naofa following a naming competition, the completed development provides a new recreational and community amenity for children, young people, families and the wider Ballyroan population. It includes a children’s playground, multi-use games area, car parking, and landscaped areas.

The project supports the regeneration of the village centre and brings a former derelict site back into active community use.

Cllr Barry Walsh, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council and a Ballyroan native, spoke of his pride at the opening:

“Standing before you today as the Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council is already an immense privilege. But cutting the ribbon on this spectacular new community asset in my own home village, is without a doubt one of the proudest moments of my time in public office.

I want to say a very special thank you to my fellow county councillors. I deeply appreciate the unwavering support you have shown for this project from day one.

Thank you to everyone who shook a bucket, bought a ticket, or gave up their free time. You have shown exactly what a close-knit rural community can achieve when everyone pulls in the same direction. To the builders, designers, and council staff – thank you for your incredible work in getting this built to the highest safety standards.”

Cllr Walsh continued:

“When I accepted the chains of office as Cathaoirleach, I pledged that community projects, active living, and supporting rural development would be at the very top of my agenda.

This space is the perfect example of that vision in action. It gives our local children a safe, modern place to play, make memories, and stay healthy. It gives our active retirement groups, walking groups, and sports enthusiasts a modern facility right on their doorstep.

It makes Ballyroan a more vibrant, attractive, and welcoming place to live.”

The project responds to a clearly identified local need for recreational facilities for children and young people and supports the continued regeneration of Ballyroan village.

Angela McEvoy, Director of Services at Laois County Council said:

“It’s with great pleasure that we officially open this fantastic amenity today. It is an example of positive collaboration and hard work to bring this project to fruition. From the Department funding to our brilliant Regeneration team in Laois County Council and the dedicated residents and elected members in Ballyroan and beyond – everyone should feel immense pride that they were a part of a key moment in the regeneration in our county”.

The development of the site was funded under the 2023 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. This was supported by match funding from Ballyroan Community Development CLG.

The Directors of the Ballyroan Community Development CLG said:

“Croi an Bhaile playground could not have been realised without the dedication and support of almost every family and business in the Village of Ballyroan and the hundreds of voluntary hours put in by the Development Committee.

From the very beginning this was a community-led project. What started out as a conversation amongst a few locals on what to do with the derelict school site, grew into a whole Village effort. Young and old came together to decide what should be developed on the site and how it should be designed.

Huge efforts were put into fundraising for match funding to develop the project. Through the support of Department funding and the efforts and support of Laois County Council, in particular, the Town Regeneration Team, this state-of-the-art playground will serve the Village of Ballyroan and the wider community for decades to come.

It is a testament of what can be achieved when the Local Authority, supported by Department funding, teams up with local communities. It is a prime example of the Town Centre First Plan in action.”

The project was enabled by previous funding secured under the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which supported a feasibility study for the redevelopment of the Old Boys’ School site in Ballyroan and the preparation of a Community Plan for the village. This work was underpinned by extensive community engagement undertaken by Ballyroan Community Development CLG, which identified a playground and Multi-Use Games Area as the preferred future use for the site.

The site and building survey, playground design, associated amenity design and Community Development Plan were led by Robin Lee Architecture and included input from Mitchell + Associates Landscape Architects, Turley Planning and Economic Consultants, and ECC Group Surveying.

The playground works and provision of equipment were undertaken by Sole Sports and Leisure Ltd with additional planting organised by the Sports and Leisure Section at Laois County Council.

Denise Rainey, Town Regeneration Officer and Project Manager for the development, said:

“I am delighted to see this important development completed and officially opened for the Ballyroan community. The project required careful coordination across planning, design, funding and delivery, and it is particularly rewarding to see the former school site transformed into a welcoming, accessible space for children, young people and families to enjoy.

I want to acknowledge all those who worked to bring this project to completion.

This amenity is an important milestone for Ballyroan and demonstrates what can be achieved by means of Sustainable Community Planning, public funding and continued partnership between the community and Laois County Council.”

The successful conclusion of the project reflects the combined efforts of elected members, Ballyroan Community Development CLG, neighbours surrounding the site, Laois County Council, Sports and Leisure Section, Town Regeneration, Property Management, Community Section and the Area Office engineer and staff, along with Sole Sports, all of whom worked to bring the development to completion.