Plans for a transformative €3.8 million development in Sligo is set to take place in Sligo town.

This key project will see Stephen Street car park redeveloped into a civic and cultural amenity called Queen Maeve Square. This fully pedestrianised will welcome the public for concerts and other cultural events, or simply as a place for family and friends to meet on the banks of the Garavogue River.

Councillor Michael Clarke, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, said: "Until now, Sligo has lacked a significant public space in the heart of the city and the new Queen Maeve Square will create a focal point which will make optimal use of its unique riverside location. Already connected with the O'Connell Street shopping area via the footbridge at Rockwood Parade, this development will support the opening up of the emerging Greenfort cultural precinct located to the north-east, between The Mall and Connaughton Road.

"The development of the Queen Maeve Square is multi-dimensional and will provide opportunities for community groups as well as local businesses to prosper.

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"Sligo is full of people who work in the creative arts, and I think we need to fill this space with these talented people, to provide locals and visitors alike with a year round flavour of what Sligo has to offer."

The development of Queen Maeve Square will include the installation of continuous high quality paving, new seating, state of the art lighting as well as improved landscaping and signage throughout the city centre site. A landmark feature of the development will be the installation of 'The Shell', a 90 sqm bespoke covered area which will provide shelter for performances, ensuring that this space will be of use to the creative sector throughout the year.

Once completed, a rolling series of events will be planned, encompassing the cultural and creative sectors. Sligo County Council also wants to provide the wider community with opportunities to organise and develop new events, effectively planning the pathway for the future growth of the area.

"Increased footfall will provide existing businesses with better access to customers, and because the centre of Sligo is easily accessible for pedestrians, new opportunities will arise for the business sector generally," said Gail McGibbon of Sligo BID.

"The pandemic has underlined just how important our outdoor spaces are, and we are fortunate here in Sligo to have a large area right in the heart of the city which will be entirely refreshed and revitalised. It's a wonderful opportunity for us to develop Queen Maeve Square as a multifunctional facility that the entire community can enjoy."

Aidan Doyle, CE of Sligo Chamber added: "It's wonderful to see agencies working together to develop this key amenity. The collaborative approach by Sligo County Council and Fáilte Ireland, together with the business community in developing a central public space in the heart of Sligo will attract pedestrians and shoppers and that can only be good for business in Sligo and the region. This development will have a positive impact, in terms of job creation and in strengthening the hospitality and tourism sectors across the entire county."