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The name Roscrea comes from the Irish Ros Cré meaning The Wood of Cré. One of the oldest towns in Ireland with a rich and vibrant history, Roscrea is a town on the move with a number of exciting developments currently underway.
Roscrea is nestled at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains within easy reach of Lough Derg and the Shannon River just two of many wonderful amenities located close to the town. With a population of over 5000 people and a hinterland of approximately 15,000, the town is perfectly poised because of its wonderful strategic location on the N7, to start enjoying the fruits of its close proximity to many of the nation’s most important commercial centers. Once the new motorway is complete, Dublin will be accessible from the town in under one hour, and Limerick (35 minutes approx) making Roscrea a very attractive proposition for commuters and developers alike.
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No pollution and no traffic congestion has also helped the town raise its profile in recent years. Accommodation also makes Roscrea a very attractive prospect for those considering staying or relocating to the town. A wide variety of housing is available in and around Roscrea from modern new homes to rustic country cottages, all at affordable prices that compare very favorably with other locations. Considerable investment in the water services infrastructure has also made it easier for people to build their own homes. As well as homes for sale, there are a number of quality houses and apartments for rental. Pat Browne from (Browne Auctioneers) one of the area’s leading auctioneer firms, said this week that Roscrea was still a great place for anyone looking to purchase a home or looking for a good property investment. Mr Browne cited examples of a 3 bed semi detached house close to town centre going for a bargain at €185,000. He said “Browne Auctioneers” also had some very affordable 4 bed detached houses, close to the town, selling for approximately €295.000. Pat Browne was also keen to stress that there was still excellent value to be got on individual serviced sites with a number on their books for as little as €75,000.00.
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Of course Roscrea is characterised by a lot more than a favourable location and value for money in the housing market. Tourism in the town is set to soar in the years to come thanks to the town’s heritage status and substantial investment by the OPW in historic structures such as Damer House, Roscrea Castle and the Blackmills historical site. The town is also home to Monaincha Abbey “The 31st Wonder Of The World” and has a very active “Heritage Society” which is flanked by local and internationally acclaimed historian George Cunningham. Roscrea is also becoming a popular destination for short holidays and corporate breaks which is no surprise with B&B’s the quality of Marie Warren’s Slí Dala, “The Tower”, “The White House” and “Forest View” to name but a view. Grant’s Hotel is a busy destination for many local groups and RACKET HALL COUNTRY HOUSE GOLF & CORPORATE HOTEL continues to go from strength to strength as explained by Brian Begley the Hotel’s Sales & Marketing Manager. Mr Begley is delighted with the response to the Hotel’s Golf Package Holiday Drive which has produced a huge reaction from Golf Groups, Societies and Corporates from all over the world coming to Roscrea, and staying at Racket Hall while enjoying Golf at Roscrea Golf course, and numerous alternative golfing venues all situated within a short distance of the town. Racket Hall with its picturesque setting is also proving to be one of the most popular wedding venues in the midlands with steady weekly bookings throughout this year and into 2008/2009 all of which augurs well for the future of the hotel and the future of Roscrea as a vibrant, economic and social centre.
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The shift towards the tourism industry in Roscrea will not deter the continued prosperity of what was always a well known industrial town, famed around the world for it’s meet processing and food industry. This success is demonstrated by Roscrea Bacon Factory who are celebrating 100 years in Roscrea this year. Outside the food industry, substantial employment can be found in places like St Anne’s who provide an invaluable service for people with intellectual disabilities, and most importantly Roscrea is home to a number of smaller yet sustainable businesses which aim to create a vibrancy and spirit of self-reliance in the town. Employment prospects for the area are very buoyant at the moment with news that all sites on the twenty six acre business park have sold out with a number of exciting retail businesses in particular expected to commence over the following few months that will reflect the confidence in the town. Such is the demand for sites at the Roscrea Business Park that a further sixteen acres is being sought to help satisfy requirements.
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The “Decentralisation Programme” for Roscrea will see three separate departments with a presence in the town when complete. The “Civil Defense” already have a long term lease on a purpose built building in the town and Cllr Michael Smith announced this week that “The Equality Authority” are close to securing a long term premises close to the town centre that will house upwards of one hundred jobs.
Other great news emerged for Roscrea this week when Brian Keating of Shannon Development confirmed that work on phase one of a new “Business And Technology Park” also located at Benamore and separate from the afore mentioned “Roscrea Business Park” is progressing well, with the contactors appointed to carry out infrastructural and landscaping work on the 26 acre site. When complete the “Business And Technology Park” will cover a floor area of 225,000sq ft. of industrial and office space, with the potential to accommodate over 1,000 jobs. This development is a strong commitment by Shannon Development to the future growth and prosperity of Roscrea and the whole North Tipperary and Offaly area. Mr Keating also confirmed this week that he was delighted that Roscrea was chosen as one of eight Shannon Region towns that will benefit from the appointment by Shannon Broadband Ltd of a contractor to lay 52kms of a broadband fibre network in eight towns around the Shannon Region. Work on the network commenced in Roscrea some weeks ago and when complete will mean that Roscrea will have a world-class broadband infrastructure and services network making it highly attractive and feasible for licensed operators to offer the latest broadband services to businesses, commercial interests, public services, local communities and domestic users. Mr Keating said that ensuring fast, cost effective broadband services, is key to attracting inward investment and creating more jobs in the future, to towns like Roscrea. |
As an important market town it’s no surprise that Roscrea can boast a huge selection of shops catering for all tastes and requirements. Apart from your traditional shops, Roscrea is also home to numerous craft shops, auction rooms and retailers of a more diverse nature. Dunnes Stores recently received planning permission to commence the development of a new retail and commercial development, close to the centre of the town. The development will include eight units for grocery, clothing and homeware, along with a cafe upstairs. A number of shop units will also form part of the development and It’s understood the bulk of the jobs will go to local people. Work is expected to commence in September. Cllr Michael Smith belives there will be huge spinoffs to the development with plans already aimed at developing an office and apartment complex directly adjoining the site. In other development news Cllr Denis Ryan outlined briefly this week some of the plans for the redevelopment of the Convent complex at Parkmore, Roscrea. The exciting development will consist of housing, apartments, and a number of commercial, social and recreational outlets. Cllr Ryan said this ambitious project is very exciting for Roscrea and is certainly a project that is warmly welcomed. Roscrea 2000 who provides wonderful services to the local area will be temporarily accommodated at the site during which time they will investigate moving to their own purpose built building. Also expected to announce development plans shortly are “Tescos” the anchor tenant of Roscrea’s attractive shopping centre. It is understood that the owner of the shopping centre where “Tescos’s” are located at the moment is offering a proposal to facilitate them in a site closer to the centre of town and the local Chamber Of Commerce feel this should be encouraged. Bernie’s Supervalu located on the town’s main street is a family business who have traded successfully in Roscrea for over 35 years and now employ over 80 fulltime / part time staff. A recent winner of the ten year Excellence Ireland Hygiene award they were also nominated one of the finest Super Valu's in the country as a finalist in this years Super Valu Store of the Year Competition. After a major store development in 2004 Bernie's too have further plans to redevelop the back of the supermarket to compliment their newly extended car-park & extended opening hours all of which augurs well for the future of Roscrea as a highly attractive shopping proposition..
For those who like to eat out, Roscrea has plenty of great locations which serve fine food. The award winning Fiacrí House is situated close to the town and in Roscrea itself there are a number of high class restaurants and bistros including Chinese and Italian. The towns of Nenagh, Portloise, Athlone, Kilkenny and Tullamore are all less than forty minutes away from Roscrea and offer great alternatives for those who like to get out of town every now and again.
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Facility wise, Roscrea is very strong with new clubs emerging all the time. Roscrea Community & Leisure Centre offer very affordable membership and in return members receive access to a whole range of activities including tennis, soccer, fitness, gymnasium, weights, steam room, massage, heat treatments, sunbathing, art classes, adult dancing and children’s dance classes, kick boxing and world taekwondo classes etc.
Roscrea Golf Club is widely regarded as one of the best parkland courses in the country receiving great reviews as each year goes by. The Club recently spent over one million euros on developing its complex which now has wonderful bar and catering facilities. Membership fees remain very competitive and a pinch at what one would expect to pay for the same facilities, in Dublin for example.
Killavilla United Soccer Club continues to be one of the midlands leading lights. The new complex consists of a fully equipped purpose built clubhouse, a new football pitch that many rate as one of the best currently available in the midlands and a wonderful all-weather facility which is ideal for clubs, social groups etc to come and play on. Work has now commenced on two new football pitches plus an all-weather training track, facilities that will put Killavilla United on a par with many of Ireland’s fastest growing football clubs.
Roscrea Hurling Club is also close to announcing details of the Club’s ambitious development plans. A re-location to a new twenty acre site and the development of a new club house with state of the art facilities looks on the cards for a Club steeped in GAA history and winners of the first ever Club All-Ireland in 1971. Details are also expected to emerge shortly with a timeframe for the completion of the long awaited Roscrea Swimming Pool and leisure facilities and it is also expected that Roscrea Tennis Club, which is one of the fastest growing clubs in the town, will announce their plans to relocate to a purpose built site. All in all there is a vast variety of sporting clubs and leisure groups active in the Roscrea area at present which also includes a Camogie, Badminton, Rugby, Handball and Bridge club etc. See www.roscreaonline.com for more details.
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Away from sport Roscrea is regarded as one of the best community spirited towns in the country with many local organizations flourishing because of their ability to attract new members and build upon the loyalty of existing members. Roscrea Musical Society are in existence over sixty years and attract new members from all age groups every year. They begin rehearsals for their April show each January and once showtime comes around, they perform to packed audiences every night such is their vast reputation. The Roscrea Tidy Towns Group actively work on a continuous basis to make Roscrea a more attractive town to live in and to visit. Their tremendous work has reaped great dividends over the past number of years and it’s no surprise therefore that Roscrea has finished second each time in the last two years of the prestigious and highly sought after “Pride Of Place Competition”. The Ros Cré Comhaltas Group are of course renowned the length and breadth of Ireland for the strength and caliber of their membership. Over the past five years alone the group has hosted two County Fleadhs and a Munster Fleadh all of which were a huge success. The Comhaltas group is always on hand to lend their support to local clubs and organizations and the Junior Comhaltas group continues to flourish as each year goes by. Roscrea also has a very strong “Flying Club”, “Historic Society” and the “Lions Club” in Roscrea is always on hand to lend their support to local projects and initiatives. Indeed their staging of the “Roscrea Stars In Their Eyes Competition” has received enthusiastic reviews over the years and has helped raise much needed funds for those in need of support the most.
Business Services in Roscrea are also very strong with no shortage of solicitors, accountants, insurance brokers or auctioneers. The country’s two leading banks plus two building societies are located in the town. Roscrea is also home to one of the most progressive Credit Union’s in the country which never seems to be out of the news because of its support for so many local clubs, organizations and award winning projects such as www.roscreaonline.com. Other developments for the town in the near future will see the opening of a new “Health Centre” on the Templemore Road and a new Medical Centre on the Dublin Road making access to local doctors even more accessible to the general public. Cllr Denis Ryan also confirmed this week that he is currently pursuing the council to consider developing a new town park on the outskirts of Roscrea and making it accessible for people of all ages.
Noel Coonan TD who was elected to the Dáil last May, believes Roscrea has a great future to look forward to. He said this week that the town has probably never maxamised its wonderful strategic location and that was something he would push to counter balance in the months and years ahead. Deputy Coonan said that together with his wife Cllr Pauline Coonan they would fight day and night to ensure all the developments planned for Roscrea would be fulfilled. Deputy Coonan assured the people of Roscrea and its surrounding areas that whatever he could do he would do it, to help ensure Roscrea received as much preferential treatment as possible from the Government to help with securing more job creation for the area. Deputy Coonan said he would also be looking to improve local amenities and would be pushing hard to seek support for recreational developments etc which are very important for growing and progressing any flourishing town.
All in all, the future looks very bright for the people of Roscrea and it’s neighboring parishes and villages.
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