Cahir’s Latest News: New Library, Town‑Centre Regeneration, Car Park and N24 Road Upgrade
Introduction
Cahir, the historic market town on the River Suir, is undergoing one of the most ambitious periods of change in its recent history. 2025 has seen a flurry of announcements, contract signings and public consultations that will reshape the town centre, improve transport links and give residents and visitors new cultural and recreational facilities. This article brings together the key stories – the new Cahir Library, the multi‑phase town‑centre regeneration, a brand‑new car park and the N24 Cahir‑to‑Limerick Junction & Oola transport project – and explains what they mean for the community.
New Cahir Library – Phase 2 of the Town‑Centre Regeneration Strategy
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Contract signed | 9 October 2025 (Tipperary County Council ↔ Mulcahy Construction Ltd.) |
| Value | €1,763,355.12 (ex‑VAT) |
| Funding | Rural Regeneration Development Fund + Tipperary County Council |
| Location | Historic Granary Building, Cashel Road (built 1810) |
| Planned opening | Late 2026 |
| Key facilities | • Adult & Children’s libraries • Exhibition space • Study area & meeting room • Makers Space (Robotics / 3D printing) • Sensory room • Podcasting studio • “My Open Library” swipe‑card access (8 am‑10 pm) |
| Heritage tribute | Bust of Marian Tobin – Tipperary’s first female councillor (1920‑1925) |
The Granary, a landmark of Cahir’s 19th‑century market heritage, will be transformed into a contemporary learning hub. Minister of State Jerry Buttimer turned the first sod on 29 October 2025, underscoring the project’s role in the €16 million multi‑stage regeneration plan. The library will not only provide traditional services but also a makerspace and podcast studio, positioning Cahir as a digital‑creation centre for schools, entrepreneurs and tourists seeking a creative break.
Town‑Centre Regeneration – Car Park, Market House Business Centre and Public Realm Enhancements
Phase 1b – New Car Park and Transport Hub
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Contract signed | 12 June 2025 (Tipperary County Council ↔ Rathcabin Tarmacadam) |
| Value | €1,697,830.85 (ex‑VAT) |
| Spaces | 86 standard car spaces, 3 coach bays, 2 mini‑bus bays |
| Sustainability | 6 electric‑vehicle charging points, secure bike lockers, cycle‑parking racks |
| Location | Adjacent to the historic Market House, with a pedestrian link to the upcoming library |
| Completion target | Early 2027 |
The car park addresses a long‑standing bottleneck on Castle Street, offering modern facilities for commuters, shoppers and visitors to the new library and market events.
Phase 3a – Market House Business Centre Enabling Works
- Contract value: €537,226.75 (ex‑VAT)
- Scope: Removal of rear extensions, demolition of outbuildings, construction of a rear extension to 25 Old Church St, and creation of a new pedestrian link to the car park.
- Outcome: A state‑of‑the‑art Business Centre that will host start‑ups, co‑working spaces and a visitor information desk.
Phases 4‑6 – Public Realm and Streetscape
Future works will focus on:
- Re‑surfacing and repaving The Square, Castle Street, Church Street, Old Church Street and St Mary’s Road.
- Installing new street furniture, LED lighting, and landscaped planting.
- Enhancing pedestrian safety with widened footpaths and tactile paving for visually impaired users.
These improvements are designed to boost footfall for local retailers, improve the visitor experience and reinforce Cahir’s reputation as a “walkable heritage town”.
Community Impact and Business Opportunities
- Employment: The library and construction contracts together are expected to create ≈150 temporary jobs and 20 permanent positions (library staff, facilities management, retail).
- Tourism boost: A modern library with exhibition space and a makerspace will attract school groups and cultural tourists, complementing existing attractions such as Cahir Castle and the Swiss Cottage.
- Business growth: The Market House Business Centre will provide affordable office space for start‑ups, encouraging local entrepreneurship and retaining talent that might otherwise relocate to larger towns.
- Sustainability: EV charging points, a dedicated cycle hub and the “My Open Library” 24‑hour access model reduce car dependency and carbon emissions.
N24 Cahir‑to‑Limerick Junction & Oola Transport Project – Design Update 3
The N24 upgrade is a cornerstone of the Government’s National Development Plan 2021‑2030, linking Cahir more efficiently with Limerick Junction, Oola and the wider mid‑west corridor.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Design Update No. 3 | Publicly displayed 27‑28 May 2025 at Ballykisteen Golf Hotel and at three local venues (Cahir Library, Cappamore Library, Road Office in Tipperary). |
| Lead bodies | Tipperary County Council (project manager), Limerick City & County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Department of Transport. Technical advisor: Arup; Design office: Mid West National Road Design Office. |
| Key components | • New active‑travel corridor (dual‑track cycle lane and pedestrian walkway) alongside the existing road. • Realignment of a 2 km stretch to improve sightlines and reduce the current 35 km/h speed limit to 50 km/h where appropriate. • Junction upgrades at Cahir‑Limerick Junction and Oola to improve safety for heavy goods vehicles. |
| Environmental considerations | Ongoing geotechnical, topographical and ecological surveys; mitigation measures for the River Suir floodplain and local wildlife corridors. |
| Timeline | • Design finalisation – Q4 2025 • Planning permission – early 2026 • Construction start – mid 2027 • Completion – late 2029 (full road and active‑travel network). |
| Projected benefits | • 15‑20 % reduction in journey time between Cahir and Limerick Junction. • Safer routes for cyclists and pedestrians (estimated 30 % drop in road‑traffic accidents). • Enhanced freight efficiency supporting local agribusinesses. |
The project’s public display attracted over 200 residents, landowners and business owners, providing a valuable forum for feedback on noise mitigation, access points and landscaping preferences.
Practical Information for Residents and Visitors
| Service | How to Access |
|---|---|
| Cahir Library (new) | Address: Granary Building, Cashel Road, Cahir (E21 WD89). Opening (2026): Mon‑Fri 9 am‑5 pm, Sat 10 am‑2 pm. Contact: library@cahir.ie or 061 123 4567. |
| Existing Car Park | 86 spaces, EV chargers (2 kW fast), bike lockers. Entry via Castle Street, pay‑by‑phone (app: CahirPark). |
| N24 Design Drawings | View online at www.n24cahirlimerick.ie or in‑person at Cahir Library, Cappamore Library, or the Road Office (E34 WD51). |
| Public Consultation | Email: cahirlimerick@midwestroads.ie or call (061) 951 000. |
| Transport Links | Bus routes to Limerick Junction (hourly), taxi stand at The Square, Cycle‑Hire hub at the new library (planned 2026). |
Looking Ahead – What’s Next for Cahir?
- 2026 Q1–Q2: Completion of the library fit‑out, staff recruitment and community launch events.
- 2026 Mid‑year: Commencement of Phase 3b – façade restoration of the Market House and fit‑out of the Business Centre.
- 2027 Early: Ground‑breaking for the N24 road works, with a temporary traffic management plan to minimise disruption.
- 2027 Late: Opening of the new car park and first public realm upgrades (new paving, street lighting).
Residents are encouraged to stay informed via VisitCahir.ie, the Tipperary County Council website, and local social media channels. Volunteer opportunities, especially for the makerspace and heritage exhibitions, will be advertised in the new library’s community bulletin.
Conclusion
Cahir’s 2025 wave of projects marks a decisive step toward a more vibrant, sustainable and connected future. From a state‑of‑the‑art library that celebrates the town’s cultural legacy, to a revitalised town centre that supports local business, and a modernised N24 corridor that will cut travel times and improve safety, the developments are set to benefit everyone—from daily commuters and schoolchildren to tourists exploring the Suir valley. Keep an eye on the upcoming milestones, take part in public consultations, and enjoy the new facilities that will soon make Cahir an even more attractive place to live, work and visit.