Development plan · Monaghan County Council
Monaghan County Development Plan 2025–2031
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Monaghan County Council · 2025–2031 · 376 pages
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- 299 13.10 TOURISM The town’s important archaeological and historic sites, together with its heritage features, such as the Ulster Canal, have the potential to be developed as significant tourist attractions. The reopening of the Ulster Canal to connect the Shannon-Erne Waterway and Lough Neagh will offer significant opportunities to develop tourism related facilities throughout the town. Clones Marina and an associated 1km of restored canal towpath, looped walk and amenity area, opened in June 2024. The marina provides a water-based asset along the Ulster Canal which is being restored and rediscovered on a phased basis. The new marina is located adjacent to the Ulster Canal Stores Visitor Centre and will help to boost the economic development of Clones and attract tourists to the area. The provision of greater connectivity between the new marina and the wider waterway and greenway network into the heart of Clones will be supported. The provision of tourism accommodation such as glamping, motorhome parking provision and the promotion of other recreational businesses associated with these tourism assets will be pivotal in the development of Clones Town as a tourism destination as The Creighton Hotel is currently the only Failte Ireland accredited accommodation in the town. The Ulster Canal Stores Visitor Centre was restored in recent years by Clones Development Society, supported by Monaghan County Council, and includes the Clones Lace Museum, bistro/restaurant, coffee shop and craft shop. The Clones Peace Link facility was opened in October 2014 on a 14-acre site at Liseggerton. Funding for the facility was provided by the EU Peace III programme, delivered by the Clones Erne East Sports Partnership and supported by Monaghan County Council. One of the core objectives of the project is to increase the levels of cross-community and cross-border integration through the creation of a shared space, the provision of modern facilities for all sporting traditions and improving the links between Clones and Fermanagh which were hampered during the troubles. Other sports related attractions around the town include angling and golf, which provide huge potential to attract visitors to the town. Other visitor activities include the Clones loop of the Kingfisher Cycle Trail, and a heritage trail in the town centre. 13.10.1 ULSTER CANAL The Ulster Canal is 74 kilometres in length and stretches from the River Blackwater at Charlemont/Moy in the centre of Northern Ireland to the River Finn on the Erne System, thus linking the Shannon-Erne Waterway and the inland waterway network with Lough Neagh and onward to Belfast via the Lagan Canal. Along its route, the Ulster Canal passes through several towns including Monaghan and Clones. The canal is an invaluable heritage and cultural resource. Monaghan County Council recognises the economic and tourism benefits the re-opening of the Ulster Canal would have for Clones. clones town settlement planchapter 13
- 300 Complementary developments along the Ulster Canal which would benefit Clones include enhancing the amenity of the Ulster Canal where feasible and the development of a strategic network of greenways centred on the Ulster Canal and linking into other strategic greenway routes. The proposed Ulster Canal Greenway Network would see the town connected to the main urban centres throughout central Ulster. The restored Ulster Canal Stores Visitor Centre situated on Cara Street is located in the refurbished original Ulster Canal buildings that were used when the canal opened in 1891. The buildings date from 1840 and were extensively refurbished. The centre provides a focal point for the development of tourism in the area and acts as a cultural, tourist, heritage and community hub and signals the potential for regeneration that reopening the Canal would offer. 13.10.2 ST. TIARNACH’S PARK Clones attracts large volumes of visitors to the town attending G.A.A. matches in St. Tiarnach’s Park each summer. The town has traditionally been closely associated with the Ulster Final and other major G.A.A. matches. Part 8 consent has been obtained to upgrade the existing pedestrian facilities and alter the carriageway along Churchill and Millbrook Upper opposite St Tiarnach’s Park to facilitate the creation of an open pedestrian plaza on match days and an improved pedestrian link to the Peace Link sports complex from both the town centre and the G.A.A pitch. The Council will continue to support and encourage further development of St. Tiarnach’s Park including a Museum for Ulster G.A.A and further car parking. These facilities will ensure the long-term viability of St. Tiarnach’s Park as the home of Ulster G.A.A. The development of a new road access to the ground and enhancement of the approaches to St. Tiarnach’s Park will also assist in the accessibility of patrons to and from the grounds. CLO 9 To encourage the provision of tourist accommodation such as glamping facilities on appropriate sites, particularly where proposed in conjunction with the Ulster Canal and associated marina facilities. CLONES TOURISM OBJECTIVES CLO 10 To promote appropriate recreational and economic development and any associated ancillary facilities proposed in relation with the Marina facilities. CLO 11 To upgrade and develop angling facilities in Clones and the Erne East Area in co-operation with Inland Fisheries Ireland and other relevant water bodies. CLO 12 To encourage and accommodate the reopening of the Ulster Canal and complementary developments along the route of the Ulster Canal including the development of the proposed Ulster Canal Greenway Network, as a vehicle for regeneration. CLO 13 To promote and support the further development of St. Tiarnach’s Park. CLO 14 To develop a new image for the town through the promotion of its heritage assets such as the Round Tower, High Cross, Clones Castle, the Ulster Canal and its sporting tradition as the home of Ulster G.A.A. CLO 15 To identify a site for the provision of motorhome parking facilities for use in conjunction with Clones Marina, and which provides good connectivity to Clones Town Centre. CLO 16 To support and encourage the development of appropriately scaled alternative forms of tourism accommodation on suitable sites within the town subject to Chapter 15 Development Management Standards of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
- 301 13.11 RECREATION AND AMENITY Vibrant, well-resourced sporting clubs with modern facilities are vital to the health of the community and add significantly to the quality of life of citizens and the attractiveness of the town as a residential centre. A number of recreational and amenity facilities have been provided in Clones in recent years. Clones golf course is located in close proximity to the town and is considered an important recreational facility. The Peace Link is an award-winning state of the art sporting facility which includes a 400m tartan running track, a soccer pitch, a 3G multi-purpose playing pitch, indoor sports facilities for badminton and basketball as well as a fully equipped gymnasium. The facility has been designed to host major sporting competitions and therefore has the potential to improve the economy of the local area. The playground at Cara Street has been redeveloped to complement the refurbishment of the Ulster Canal Stores Visitor Centre. There are two other public recreation parks located within the town, the Seamus McCabe Park and the Barry McGuigan Park in addition to the open space and playgrounds located in various housing estates. Clones has a number of important public spaces which contribute to the character and amenity of the town. The Diamond area is the most important public space in the town, and it is imperative that this space is preserved in a dignified and appropriate manner. In addition, the town also has a number of important historical and heritage sites within close proximity to The Diamond area. These sites must be maintained and visitor access to them improved with due recognition given to the status of these amenities and their role in the development of Clones. The Clones loop of the long-distance Kingfisher Cycle Trail goes through the villages of Scotshouse, Killeevan and Newbliss before returning to Clones. 13.12 NATURAL HERITAGE Kilroosky Lough Cluster Special Area of Conservation (SAC), located north of Clones, is a cross-border site designated under the EU Habitats Directive due to the nature of water quality and the life forms supported within this cluster of lakes. Ramages Lough is the closest of these lakes to the town with Kilroosky Lough and Dummy’s Lough located in close proximity to the town also. This cluster of loughs is also a proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA). It is vital that these sensitive habitats are protected from inappropriate development which may impact upon their integrity. Specific objectives and policies for European Designated Sites and pNHAs are set out in Chapter 6 Heritage, Conservation and Landscape of this Plan. 13.13 BUILT HERITAGE Clones is located in a pivotal position in South Ulster and has a long history of being at the centre of cultural, religious, social and commercial life since pre-Christian times, as evidenced by the Round Tower and Abbey, the High Cross, and the Ring Fort. The town has a large number of important archaeological and historic sites of notable importance within Ireland. The town has also retained its industrial heritage with the Ulster Canal, the restored Ulster Canal Stores Visitor Centre and the railway turntable building. Clones as a town is characterised by The Diamond, a public open space located in a central prominent position within the town. Formal buildings, several of townscape merit, help define The Diamond. This public space is dominated by the Church of Ireland to the north-west and the graded approaches to it heighten the civic importance of The Diamond as a public space and the sense of enclosure is strong throughout the narrow streets, which lead up to The Diamond. In later years a number of important buildings were developed including a large selection of Georgian and Victorian houses. The Market House was built in 1844 and the Courthouse on Mac Curtain Street was also built during this period. The beautiful Cassandra Hand Centre adjacent to the Round Tower graveyard was built in 1859. Other buildings around the town which are worthy of note are the late 19th Century Chapel of the Sacred Heart, the Masonic Hall, the Orange Hall, the Protestant Hall, the High School and the Canal Stores. All views into The Diamond are terminated by views of buildings on the opposite side, creating a feeling of formal space. Each of the roads that feed The Diamond vary in character and townscape terms. The most notable are: Fermanagh Street This is the main retail street for the town comprising two and three storey properties in terraced formation. The buildings are mainly finished in painted render with little embellishment, and the fenestration is generally of Georgian proportion. The streetscape is enhanced by several ornate/well-proportioned shop frontages, which include The Tower at the lower end and a terraced series of shop fronts on entrance to The Diamond. The height to width ratio of the street creates enclosure, which provides a rich contrast to the openness of The Diamond ahead. The street gently curves and rises steeply into the square. The view into The Diamond is terminated by the grandeur of the Market House. clones town settlement planchapter 13
- 302 Cara Street This is principally a domestic street of residential scale. The small-scale buildings provide a link between the formal scale of The Diamond and the rural landscape beyond. The street rises into The Diamond and the ornate shop frontages at the head of Fermanagh Street terminate the view into The Diamond. At the other end of the street (leaving town), the row of small, terraced cottages completes the transition from town to countryside. The buildings within this street are characterised by a number of modest two storey dwellings finished in coloured rendered finishes with brick detailing to window surrounds, brick chimneys and slate roofs. Mac Curtain Street The detailing along this street shows the character and variety of buildings commonly found in many Irish towns. Shops are of various sizes, with dwelling houses and public houses inter-linked. Each maintains a generally cohesive building line and has continuity in the colour and type of roof materials. Individual design details highlight individual properties, but visual unity is maintained through parity of scale, colour and materials used. Mac Curtain Street has been noted by An Taisce as having special architectural merit. There are three Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) in Clones Town, The Diamond, Mac Curtain Street from The Diamond to Ball Alley, and the Ball Alley itself. 13.14 ARCHAEOLOGY The historical development of Clones is reflected in its urban archaeology and built environment to an extent not seen in any other south Ulster town. The earliest monuments in the town are the Round Tower and the Celtic High Cross. Situated adjacent to the Round Tower is a stone Sarcophagus carved in the shape of an early Irish Church. As part of the renovation works proposed to the Lennard Arms, the High Cross, which is located within The Diamond, is proposed to be relocated to the Lennard Arms. The relocation of the structure would ensure its preservation and facilitate a more appropriate environment within which it could be showcased. A replica High Cross would be positioned in its place in The Diamond to maintain its historical presence. The Augustinians built Clones Abbey dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul, in the 12th Century whilst the Church of Saint Tiarnach on The Diamond appears to occupy a site in use from early Christian times. On the same hill is a well-preserved Motte and Bailey, constructed by the Normans in 1212. General objectives and policies for the protection of natural and built heritage in Clones Town are provided in Chapter 6 Heritage, Conservation and Landscape and Chapter 8 Environment, Energy and Climate Change of this Plan. CLO 17 To protect and preserve the protected monuments and structures located within Clones Town in particular Clones Fort, the Round Tower and Abbey and the High Cross on The Diamond, in accordance with the Council’s statutory duties. CLONES NATURAL AND BUILT HERITAGE OBJECTIVES CLO 18 To protect and conserve the streetscape character, architectural quality, and heritage of The Diamond, Mac Curtain Street, Cara Street and Fermanagh Street. Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
- 303 Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031 chapter 14 ballybay town settlement plan 2025–2031
- 304 Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031 ballybay town settlement plan 2025–2031
- 305 Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate Actionballybay town settlement planchapter 14 BBSO 1 To promote and develop Ballybay Town to create a self-sufficient, sustainable and vibrant community which will act as a local employment and service centre for the Mid Monaghan hinterland. BBSO 2 To ensure that the following priorities for the town are delivered within the lifetime of the development plan:- k the preparation and implementation of a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for the town, k the preparation and implementation of a Town Centre First Plan for the town, and k the preparation of a feasibility study in respect of proposed road links within the town. BALLYBAY SETTLEMENT PLAN STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES 14.0 LOCATION AND CONTEXT Ballybay is strategically located in the centre of County Monaghan and is less than twenty kilometres from the towns within the County. The town is dominated by Lough Major located to the east of the town centre. The Dromore River also forms an important part of the town’s physical structure, and it is these water features and local drumlins that have helped to dictate how the town has developed and evolved over the years. Traditionally the town was a market town which served a large rural hinterland and subsequently the town developed an increasing dependence on the agricultural sector with the town’s mart being the central focal feature bringing farmers and rural dwellers into the town. Ballybay Regeneration Committee was established in 2015 and was restructured to run as a town team format in May 2022. The Committee is made up of Municipal District Staff, Elected Members, Ballybay Chamber of Commerce, Ballybay Development Association, Ballybay Credit Union, Ballybay Community Crèche and Ballybay GAA Club, and the purpose of the group is to bring all groups together to discuss plans and projects to help regenerate the town with the support of the Municipal District. 14.1 HISTORICAL CONTEXT Ballybay developed due to its location, at the crossing over the Dromore River at Corrybrannan where the outflow from the adjoining Lough Major narrows and makes its way down stream, through a clump of Birch Trees, to the lake lands of Derrynaloobinagh, Annaneese and Derryvally. The road from Carrickmacross to Monaghan and the road from Clones to Castleblayney intersect at this point. Historically the town developed as a rest point for travellers and their animals and as a place to carry out maintenance of carts, carriages and wagons. Tradesmen such as blacksmiths, saddlers and carpenters were the occupations of its first inhabitants, and it became the natural centre for markets, fairs, public meetings, conventions, parades and processions for all types of organisations and societies. In the 1820's the Leslie family took up permanent residence on the Ballybay Estate and they built the present Market House in 1848 to help promote local trade and business. In the second half of the eighteenth century, the various religious congregations built new churches and schools. In 1850, the population of the town was approximately 1500. At that time, it did not have its own water supply, town drainage, disposal services, street lighting or proper footpaths. This changed with the construction of the railway line from Dundalk to Enniskillen via Ballybay and Clones in 1854 and the conveyance of livestock, timber, coal, merchandise and passengers promoted trade and industry within the town.
- 306 14.2 STRATEGY AND VISION This Development Plan sets out to support the development of Ballybay by supporting the expansion of services to meet the needs of its locality, as well as developing the potential for tourism based on the recreational facilities on offer. The 2016 Census recorded that the population of Ballybay declined by 15% in the period 2011-2016, from 1461 to 1241 persons. Census 2022 however, recorded a 1.2% increase in the population of Ballybay for the period 2016-2022 from 1,241 persons to 1,329 persons. The Census also revealed that almost 39% of the total housing stock in the settlement is vacant. It is an objective of this Plan to redress this trend by encouraging residential development within the settlement as well as the regeneration of brownfield sites and derelict properties. The Core Strategy set out in Chapter 2 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031, projects that the population of Ballybay will grow to 1,578 over this plan period and a housing land requirement of approximately 6.5 hectares is being provided within the settlement envelope to accommodate this projected growth. 14.3 EDUCATION Ballybay has three national schools and one secondary school. The number of students attending each school is shown in Table 14.2. In the Core Strategy, Ballybay is identified as a Tier 3 town which provides a range of retail and educational services. In accordance with this Strategy, it is proposed that Ballybay is developed as a residential centre as well as a service centre for the surrounding hinterland. Monaghan County Council aims to address the future sustainable development of the town through: k The establishment of a viable and growing population, sufficient to support a wide variety of employment and services, k The development of infrastructure where necessary to accommodate growth within the town, k Improved transport links both within the county and to destinations outside it, k The encouragement of re-development of backlands and derelict sites throughout the town, k The provision of sufficient parking within the town centre, and k The facilitation of the development of Lough Major and the Dromore River System as tourist assets along with the provision of further amenity areas. 2022 POPULATION POPULATION AS A % 2031 PROJECTED PROJECTED % OF COUNTY OF COUNTY MONAGHAN POPULATION MONAGHAN POPULATION POPULATION 2022 2031 1,329 2.04% 1,578 2.2% TABLE 14.1 BALLYBAY TOWN POPULATION PROJECTIONS TABLE 14.2 ENROLMENT FIGURES FOR SCHOOLS IN BALLYBAY TOWN 2023-2024 NAME OF SCHOOL ..................................................................................................No. of Students BALLYBAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE............................................................................... 363 SCOIL EANNA ............................................................................................................................ 211 BALLYBAY CENTRAL NATIONAL SCHOOL ................................................................. 59 MONAGHAN WALDORF SCHOOL................................................................................... 15 Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
- 307 14.4 TOWN CENTRE Ballybay offers considerable potential for regeneration by developing projects which are sensitive to the character of the town. The Main Street is an attractive streetscape with continuous building frontages and a pleasant mix of building heights, materials and colours which define the town. In recent years funding was secured under the Rural Economic Development Zones Scheme (REDZ), to improve the appearance of properties on Main Street. Under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, funding has been secured to restore and refurbish Ballybay Market House, a protected structure, and bring it back into use as a community hub and town library. Additional funding has also been received under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme to carry out public realm works which will further enhance the streetscape and surrounds of the building which is prominently located within the Town Centre. Ballybay maintains a strong community network with a large number of community groups active in the area. A Masterplan was prepared for the backlands of Main Street in 2005 and, whilst a number of planning permissions were granted for development in this area, the redevelopment of the area was not completed. In recent years however, Monaghan County Council has completed construction works on a new car park as well as a seven unit residential development in this area. Additionally, construction works have also commenced on the Ballybay Primary Care Centre. Together these developments will provide a significant boost for the town in terms of service provision and economic benefit. 14.5 RETAILING The type of retailing available in the town includes clothing and footwear, newsagents, pharmacists and a florist. Main Street is the traditional commercial centre of the town although a number of businesses also operate from the streets off Main Street. Whilst the viability of local businesses depends on a sustainable population and catchment area, there is potential for the variety of shops and offices to be expanded. Monaghan County Council will continue to encourage the location of retail and service businesses within the town centre area and in collaboration with the business sector and local traders will aim to improve and develop the town centre shopping facilities. BBO 1 To encourage and support the refurbishment, renewal and re-use of brownfield lands, existing buildings and derelict sites within the town centre. BALLYBAY TOWN CENTRE OBJECTIVES BBO 4 To support the retention and provision of a wide range of retail and employment services in Ballybay Town Centre. BALLYBAY RETAILING OBJECTIVE BBO 2 To encourage and facilitate the sensitive restoration, refurbishment and reuse of Ballybay Market House during the plan period. BBO 3 To support enhanced connectivity links between An Clós Main Street, the Medical Centre and the Town Park along the Castleblayney Road. Environment, Energy and Climate ActionEnvironment, Energy and Climate Actionballybay town settlement planchapter 14
- 308 14.6 INDUSTRY, ENTERPRISE AND EMPLOYMENT Classified by socio-economic groups, the predominant employment sectors in Ballybay according to Census 2022 were professional services (24%), manufacturing and industry (21%) and commerce and trade (18%). Ballybay has a small number of core industries which have provided consistent employment in the food processing and engineering/steel industries. The major employers are Kepak Foods (located on the Monaghan Road) and Leonard Engineering (located close to the town centre). The Ballybay Enterprise Park developed by the Monaghan Community Enterprise Fund is a state-of-the-art food production and education facility which offers the ideal environment for startup and expanding food businesses in the area. Larger businesses can avail of the facility for new product development, diversification and research and development. In addition to this training-based agencies and businesses can avail of the workspace to cater for food training programmes and as a venue for events and a function facility for caterers. Monaghan County has a strong tradition of agri-food and food processing businesses, and this development complements this tradition. Approximately 26 hectares of land has been zoned for Industrial, Enterprise and Employment development in Ballybay, as indicated on the attached Map BBDP1 of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025-2031. This is considered sufficient to accommodate the anticipated level of industrial development in the town during the life of the Plan. It is acknowledged that Lough Egish which is a short distance from the settlement of Ballybay, makes a significant contribution to employment and the economy within the area. Lough Egish is specifically referred to in Chapter 4 Economic Development of this Development Plan. 14.7 POWER AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS Ballybay is included as part of Eir/Openeir’s IFN fibre rollout programme which delivers high speed fibre broadband services to industry, consumers and to business owners within the town. There are also extensive wireless broadband networks in and around Ballybay. Monaghan County Council will review the options for telecommunications infrastructure within the town and continue to co-operate with statutory and regulated bodies in the provision of power and communication facilities throughout the town. 14.8 ROADS AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT Ballybay is strategically located in the centre of County Monaghan and has direct road links to Monaghan, Castleblayney, Carrickmacross, Shercock and Cootehill towns via the Regional Road Network. It has become much more accessible with the improvements of transport links through the opening of Castleblayney by-pass, which provides a convenient connection to the N2 Dublin-Derry National Primary Road. Government policies now encourage modal shift where possible, away from private car use and towards more sustainable transport modes such as walking, wheeling or cycling, also known as active travel. Government investment in active travel has increased significantly in recent years. The provision of quality cycling, wheeling and walking facilities can provide an economical, non-polluting, and flexible form of transport which can deliver improvements to overall health and wellbeing and reduce congestion and carbon emissions. The provision of active travel and recreational walking and cycling infrastructure, such as designated cycle paths, greenways, walking paths and trails, also supports recreation and tourism. The development of active travel and recreational walking and cycling routes in and around Ballybay Town will contribute towards Government objectives around active travel. Public and shared transport also has the potential to enhance sustainability and reduce carbon emissions. Access to and facilities for public and shared transport may need to be improved to support the increased use of public and shared transport. BBO 5 To support and encourage the development of research facilities and start-up operators within the food business sector at Ballybay Enterprise Park. BALLYBAY INDUSTRY, ENTERPRISE AND EMPLOYMENT OBJECTIVE Monaghan County Development Plan 2025 – 2031
Source Monaghan County Council: Monaghan County Development Plan 2025–2031 (2025–2031) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.