THE FUTURE of Dunmanway is in the hands of the people following a public meeting held last Monday night.

The discussion at Brookpark Business Centre saw townspeople, councillors, TDs and business owners collaborate on ideas for the development of the old West End building and car park.

The site was recently purchased by Cork County Council, which is seeking proposals from the public on how best to develop the space.

The project is still at the ‘ideas’ phase – the purpose of Monday night’s meeting was to form a steering committee to organise the proposals, and hear ideas from the town.

Tim Buckley, chairman of Dunmanway Chamber of Commerce, stressed that members of the committee should come from a wide range of the town’s businesses and organisations.

The development of the West End building and car park will be a collaboration between three strands – the committee representing the townspeople, public representatives including councillors and local TDs, and Cork County Council.

The consensus in the room was that the development opportunity represented a ‘blank space’ for the town. Resident Damien Quinn, originally from Australia, said that the town was a ‘gem just waiting to be polished.’

It was decided that the property should be referred to as a ‘civic space’, rather than just a car park.

The site’s riverside location presented the town with a unique opportunity to extend the riverside walkway and enhance the area’s natural beauty.

Residents pointed to the fact that when visitors arrived in Dunmanway, there were very little activities that highlighted the rich culture and heritage of the market town.

Local teacher Sarah Cahalane said that the building should serve an educational purpose, which would attract visitors from across the county and beyond.

She mentioned Blackrock Castle as an example. She said that she brings students to workshops at the historical site, which generate revenue for the castle, as well as providing a unique learning opportunity for the children.

The town’s connection with Sam Maguire was heavily referenced throughout the evening.

‘After coming to the town ten years ago, I didn’t even know Sam Maguire was from here,’ said Mrs Cahalane.

Committee member Finbarr Kearney joked that, ‘if Sam Maguire was born in Kerry, they’d have hotels built for him,’ but the room was left with a general sense that the towns heritage was heavily underutilised.

Tommy Collins said that the Dunmanway Historical Society had submitted a proposal for use of the building.

Other ideas included a youth café and using the building as a permanent space for Dunmanway library. Due to the historic site’s status as a listed building, redevelopment works could qualify for the Historical Structures Fund, which provides up to €200,000 a year for restoration works.

Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan (FF) said his department would welcome a funding proposal ‘with open arms.’ Speaking after the meeting, Tim Buckley said it was ‘a great workshop, and we have some huge ideas. Our plan now is to move on and see if we can develop those ideas into a plan.’

The committee want to hear ideas from locals, even if they did not get a chance to attend the meeting.

Proposals, whether they are a fully pledged plan, or just a thought on the space’s potential, can be submitted to [email protected].

Proposals can also be submitted here.

WATCH TIM BUCKLEY SPEAK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE TOWN'S NEW CIVIC SPACE BELOW: