Plans lodged for Hodson Bay lakefront park

Roscommon County Council is to lodge a planning application with An Coimisiún Pleanála for a €30m waterfront park at Hodson Bay.

The imminent move marks a significant step in the formal process to obtain approval for the proposed multi-million euro development.

The waterfront park project, on the Lough Ree shore, is being led by Roscommon County Council with input from Fáilte Ireland and Waterways Ireland.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent, Enda Mulryan, Project Manager and Senior Executive Engineer with Roscommon County Council, said all the relevant documentation "has been prepared" and it is the council's intention to "submit the planning application" towards the end of August.

Roscommon County Council has this week published a public notice of its intention to submit the planning application for the proposed waterfront park development. Plans for the project will be available to view at Roscommon County Council buildings from Wednesday, September 2, with public observations on the project submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála by Friday, October 16.

The aim of the waterfront park project, which contains four elements, is to enhance public access to the lake and improve amenities for walking, cycling, and water-based activities. It also seeks to protect and celebrate the area’s natural and cultural heritage as well as supporting sustainable tourism and economic development.

The first element is a new water sports pavilion incorporating facilities for on-water activities such as boating and swimming, as well as showers, changing facilities, and a waterfont café that would have views over the water. A permanent plaza canopy structure, maintenance building and an enclosed plaza space which can be closed off or remain open to the public are also proposed as part of the water sports pavilion development.

The second element of the waterfront project proposes the redevelopment and extension of the existing marina with a new jetty allowing for a total of 59 berths for cruisers and boats. This element will also see the provision of improved access for non-motorised recreational water activities such as kayaking and canoeing, the provision of a one storey pavilion with showers and toilets and an upgrade of marina utilities.

The third element of the waterfront park’s design involves a revamped public realm, central to which is a new marina designed as a ‘welcoming link’ between land and water. Features proposed in this element of the project include a continuous promenade with pedestrian routes and resting points and a flexible public space to accommodate programmed activities and event. The public realm upgrade will also include the construction of a new playground, picnic areas, a wellness meadow and swimming canopy with access to a swimming area along the lakeshore.

Finally, the proposed development includes active travel improvements and the rearrangement of existing car parking spaces at the site. The active travel measures include the retention and widening of all existing footways in the vicinity of the proposed development, with a three-metre shared path to be provided along the route from the N61 junction to the waterfront park. This will allow for a shared cycle and pedestrian pathway to the Hodson Bay marina. Traffic calming measures to reduce speed on approach to the waterfront park have also been proposed.

Car parking would be scaled up as part of the development. Currently, there are 353 spaces in the existing parking layout at Hodson Bay, with a proposal to increase that to 504 upon completion of the proposed project.

New road and pedestrian signage to include wayfinding and information signage and the upgrade of existing public lighting on approach to the waterfront park are also included in the fourth element of the proposed development.

The preferred design option for the four elements were unveiled to the public at a consultation event in the Hodson Bay Hotel in April with feedback received forming the final waterfront park design which will be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála. This was the second such event following an initial consultation completed in October 2025.

Development‑stage funding of €1.39m has been approved to date for the design phase of the project, including €1.07m from Fáilte Ireland under the EU Just Transition Fund.

Speaking at the public consultation in late April, Mr Mulryan said the immediate focus was to secure planning approval and then to seek funding streams.

"There are quite a number of schemes available to help bring the various elements of this ambitious project to fruition. New funding schemes become available on a continuous basis and we will work in tandem with Failte Ireland and Waterways Ireland to ensure we make the best of all available resources," Mr Mulryan said, at the time.

As part of the active travel design element of the project, Roscommon County Council would have to acquire land from Athlone Golf Club to incorporate into the proposed development. Last week, Mr Mulryan said a "series of engagements" had taken place with the golf club with a view to the parties coming to an agreement.

"Roscommon County Council continue to engage constructively with Athlone Golf Club, along with other key stakeholders, regarding the progression of this ambitious flagship project for the region. It is expected that this engagement with continue and indeed intensify as the project moves forward," the project manager added last week.