MARKET HOUSE TO BE CORNERSTONE OF BALLYBAY REJUVENATION

PETER HUGHES

Underneath its arches where many an important deal was done in times long past, a contract was signed on Friday for works that will bring the 1848 Market House building in Ballybay back into vibrant and purposeful existence. Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys TD joined a gathering of local civic leaders for the occasion, her Department having sanctioned €410,000 in Rural Regeneration and Development Fund support for the restoration of a building once a focal point for commercial, business, legal and social activity in the town but which has fallen into disuse and decay in recent decades.

And Minister Humphreys brought with her an additional €1.25 million in funding for the development within the revivified structure of a new and modern branch library for Ballybay. Outside the rain was falling, but inside the normally gated ground floor expanse of the venerable structure, a sunny dawn was breaking on a project which Co Council executive members and officials hope will be the cornerstone of a wider regeneration initiative for the…