Bringing new life to Banagher Marina

Underutilised but bursting with potential, Banagher Marina in the Republic of Ireland is set to be revamped as the local council unveils a development masterplan that places it at the heart of the town. Charlotte Niemiec reports

Banagher Marina in the market town of Banagher in West County Offaly, Ireland sits on the banks of the River Shannon, the longest river in the British Isles. The marina facility has been gradually developed since the 1960s, and today bustles with activity, providing safe moorings for pleasure boats and privately owned cruises. An essential asset to the town, the marina plays an important role in local tourism and economic activity. It is not just a functional space for boating and water sports, it is also a gateway to the broader Shannon region and is home to cruise hire companies, water adventure hubs and other outdoor activities.
The marina and associated waterfront have, however, long needed improvements to enhance their usability and attractiveness. Early in the planning stage, Offaly County Council launched a public consultation to gather input from the community. This highlighted several key priorities for locals, including improving basic amenities such as toilets, seating and signage, addressing parking and traffic congestion, and ensuring the marina and water access were suitable for use. The community also called for walking and cycling paths to connect nearby areas, enhancing the town’s appearance, providing a wider variety of accommodation options, supporting casual trading and dining, and expanding both water and land-based activities. Additionally, options for developing the pool area were being explored through Galway County Council.
The council then asked Place + Urbanism and CHL Consulting to develop a masterplan to address these needs, to capitalise on the town’s potential and align it with the goals of Ireland’s 2040 planning initiative, which emphasises sustainable development, tourism growth and regional revitalisation.
The masterplan’s overarching vision is of a pedestrian-friendly, vibrant community space that maximises the marina’s natural setting while offering modern amenities and experiences. Its plan would integrate the marina into the wider town, making it accessible to more people and creating opportunities for economic development.
Proposals for the marina area take into consideration the fact that this is a working marina with boatyards that provides a base for two long-standing cruise hire companies and two water-based activity centres, while also needing to provide access to the water for individual boat owners.
Key focus areas
The masterplan focuses on several key objectives, each designed to contribute to the long-term sustainability and success of Banagher as a tourist destination and a place to live.
One of its major goals is to prioritise pedestrian movement within the marina and reduce vehicles. This includes limiting vehicles in key areas, redesigning parking facilities and installing seasonal bollards that shut areas off during busier times of the year so as to make the marina a safer and more enjoyable space for walking and leisure. Public spaces within the marina area will also be significantly upgraded, including new landscaping, seating areas and public art installations.
The ground surface along the marina will be upgraded to prioritise pedestrians, and landscaped along the river’s edge. Parking will be eliminated from the marina front itself, apart from limited temporary parking for cruise hire customers. Parking will be provided for single vehicles and cars with boat trailers to the rear of the marina to encourage increased use of the marina by private boat owners.
Boating facilities will be improved to reinforce the marina’s role as a boating hub. New jetties will be built to offer a total number of 250 berths, mooring facilities will be improved and there will be better boat access. According to the masterplan, these upgrades will cater to the growing demand from both local boaters and tourists to use the River Shannon for recreational purposes. The improved facilities will also position the marina as a key stopover point for those exploring the broader Shannon waterways, boosting the town’s reputation as a boating destination.
Integration with the town
Foremost in the designs are plans to link the marina with the town’s key areas via new pedestrian pathways, making it easier for residents and visitors to move between the two. It is hoped this improved connectivity will help draw people into the marina area and encourage them to explore other parts of the town, such as shops, restaurants and historical sites.
The plans identify the Royal Shannon Hotel as a key opportunity for regeneration and development. This protected structure, located on the main street and adjoining the marina, has been vacant and semi-derelict for years. Offaly County Council recently acquired the building and commissioned a separate Conservation Masterplan and Feasibility Study to explore its potential. The vision is to redevelop it for either civic functions or accommodation, with a focus on ensuring it contributes to the overall objectives of the masterplan.
The masterplan proposes the creation of a gateway to the marina at the hotel, complemented by a raised boardwalk designed to link the marina with historic sites and other points of interest in the area. The boardwalk will provide an elevated, scenic route that allows visitors to experience the natural beauty of the Shannon River while learning about the region’s history and heritage.
A new boathouse is also proposed to store Banagher’s local long boat, the ‘Sionn Mhara’. This is envisioned to be located within the public realm near the hotel. The area will be integrated into the new public plaza, providing routes that connect to the marina.
All aspects of the design focus on using sustainable materials and construction methods in the marina development, along with the implementation of environmental management practices to protect the surrounding natural areas.
Banagher town “has high amenity and natural heritage value, with the marina being the most active boating hub in the South Shannon,” said the Council’s Anna Marie Delaney. “This offers the potential to develop and enhance outdoor activities that will attract visitors from elsewhere and create a pleasant tourism experience for the area.”
Council director of services, Andrew Murray, added: “This masterplan is the culmination of a comprehensive public consultation process involving the community, local businesses, marina businesses, various sections of Offaly County Council, Waterways Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Uisce Éireann and local residents. This masterplan will act as a catalyst in supporting regeneration projects and drive sustainable tourism, social and economic development of Banagher into the future in line with the aspirations of Ireland 2040.”