Making more accommodation available in town on Carlow border is a 'priority'

More people could be moving to a small town on the Carlow border after it's been established that a bid to make accommodation above businesses available has been put forward. 

At a monthly meeting earlier this week, Callan and Thomastown councillors had a briefing on the Graiguenamanagh Town Centre First Plan.

A number of priorities were established, according to KCLR, one of which included a bid to accommodate people on the floors over businesses. 

"I think this is something that needs to be rolled out in every single town and village," Cllr Deirdre Cullen said.

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She added that previously providing accommodation above a business was not recommended but policy is changing now and the concept is being looked at as a "why not" rather than "cannot." 

"It's great to see that this is going to be one of the priorities for Graiguenamanagh... People deserve to be able to live where they've grown up," Cllr Cullen added. 

Another priority is to bring vibrancy back to the main streets of towns and villages across Ireland and it's hoped providing more accommodation and bringing more people these areas will do that.

A number of businesses in Graiguenamanagh have suitable accommodation above them that have been lying idle, and Cllr Cullen says this needs to change.

The issue of the town's tourism sector was raised as a potential barrier to accommodation as it encourages short-term letting over long-term rental.