Concerns raised over parking pressures in Kilbeggan, Moate and Tyrrellspass

By Rebekah O'Reilly

The shortage of public parking spaces in the towns of Kilbeggan, Moate, and Tyrrellspass was raised at a recent meeting of the Athlone-Moate Municipal District.

Cllr Liam McDaniel tabled a motion to reconsider the provision of off-street parking in the towns.

“In Kilbeggan, the church car park is always full. It’s the main parking in the town, but it’s private property. If it were closed to the public tomorrow, people would be stuck. We need to look at this, and if we can do better, we should,” he said.

Cllr McDaniel’s motion received broad support from members of the chamber, including the Mayor of Athlone-Moate Municipal District, Cllr Vinny McCormack, along with Cllr Johnny Penrose and Cllr Tom Farrell.

“The more cars taken off the street, the better,” said Cllr Penrose.

Cllr Farrell added: “If people come into towns like Kilbeggan or Moate and can’t find parking, they’ll just move on to the next town. What parking is available? Could we introduce incentives for private property owners to make their spaces available to the public?”

Cllr McCormack noted that towns such as Kilbeggan function as commuter hubs, and a solution is needed for “sleeper cars.”

“Is there land outside Kilbeggan, Moate, or Tyrrellspass where we could create car parks for commuters taking the bus to work? This would free up a huge amount of space in the town centres. We need to look into that,” he said.

Council official Anneke Naughton referred to the Control of Parking Bye-Laws 2024 for Kilbeggan and Tyrrellspass, which allow residents to apply for a permit “to park their vehicle without limitations as to time in a parking place in the restricted parking area to which the permit relates.”

“Residents can now apply for those permits. This is a recent bye-law, so let’s see what the demand is first, and we’ll go from there,” she added.

In a written response, the council executive stated: “In Kilbeggan, the town is well served with on-street and off-street parking. Private parking spaces appear well utilised, and public opportunities are available, for example underutilised free on-street parking on Relic Road, near the town core and adjacent to the linear park.

“In Tyrrellspass, again the town is well served, primarily by private parking provision, while short-stay on-street parking opportunities are also readily available.”