A series of Master Plans for three areas within the Clane Maynooth Municipal District have been published by Kildare County Council.

Members of the Clane Maynooth District were joined by members of the Kildare County Council executive team to launch the plans for the future development of Derrinturn, Straffan and Johnstownbridge. All of which are funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the 2019 Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Derrinturn Small Town Renewal Master Plan

Some of the key projects identified in the small town renewal master plan for Derrinturn include:

• Public Realm – Comprehensive planning and design of public and private streetscape elements to help establish a cohesive character and ultimately a stronger, more distinct identity for Derrinturn

• A series of recommendations/potential projects for The Turn Inn, including improving streetscape, widening footpaths, optimize on and off-street parking & upgrades to pedestrian space

• Opportunity to create a community town park as a multi-use passive recreation, sports activity and events hub

• Improvement works to the existing Slí na Sláinte route

Straffan Village Renewal Master Plan

The Delivery Plan for Straffan aims to continue to build an identity for Straffan that is distinctive and authentic, building on the historical, natural and built heritage which the village has to offer.  The key delivery projects include:

• Village Centre at Straffan Inn – potential opportunities include improvements to pedestrian crossings & footpaths, provide appropriate traffic calming, create outdoor plaza/seating

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• Straffan Church/Filling Station Area – potential to widen footpath to improve walking route, improved parking & street lighting

• The Glebe/Straffan National School – potential to increase footpath width, introduce 'no stopping zone’, introduce disabled parking and potential indicative location for school parking/drop off area

• New/upgraded Pedestrian facilities – Provide new continuous footpath to GAA grounds and to the entrance to Lodge Park with street lighting, introduce traffic calming at critical locations

• Opportunity site for amenity/play – Potential to provide a play area for children, a new amenity space/picnic area and multi-use games area

• GAA expansion & community hub – Opportunity to purchase adjoining ground to enable development of more pitch space and to cater for growing numbers

Johnstownbridge Village Renewal Master Plan

Key projects identified in the renewal master plan for Johnstownbridge include:

• Public Realm design – Establish a clear sense of arrival through a distinct change in landscape, rationalize and organize signage, lighting and street furniture as well as establishing a landscape palette that is attractive, easy to maintain and appropriate for the locale

• Village Centre – Improvements to existing junctions, parking and lighting as well as the potential mixed-use development on village centre zoned lands

• Johnstown Road to GAA – Explore options for walking/cycling facilities and introduce consistent street lighting

• Village Gateways – Create legible and attractive entry points to Johnstownbridge that provide strong first impressions and reinforce that sense of arrival to enhance the 'welcome’ experience within the village

• Village Traffic Calming – Introduction of a series of traffic calming measures including tightening generous turning radii at the junctions, introducing appropriate traffic calming at critical locations and replacing bollards with additional landscaping to soften the area.

Speaking about the plans for the Clane Maynooth Municipal District, Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council said: "The publication of plans for Derrinturn, Straffan and Johnstownbridge follow the launch of other plans for towns and villages across the county, which demonstrates our real commitment to the future sustainable development of the county, for the people who live here, and visitors alike.

"Each and every plan involves detailed consultation and ongoing collaboration between the local communities in these areas and Kildare County Council. Plans like these are hugely important to guide the sustainable development of these areas and their attractiveness as places to live and work."

The Master Plans for Derrinturn, Straffan and Johnstownbridge are available to view in full on our website, visit

kildarecoco.ie/AllServices/Housing/PublicRealm/TownRenewalMasterPlans/