This is Ireland's place of the year for 2017

Clonakilty’s master plan was awarded the honour.

CLONAKILTY HAS BEEN named the “Place of the Year” for 2017.

The Cork town took the honour at the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) awards last weekend.

The award comes as Cork County Council continues the second phased of the Clonakilty 400 Urban Design Master Plan. The council says that “safety, inclusive design and place making were crucial principles to further establish the pedestrian priority over the motor car, already applied to Asna and Emmet Squares” in the town.

Phase one of the Masterplan saw Clonakilty win the RIAI Public Choice Award in 2014.

Clonakilty native Councillr Christopher O’Sullivan spoke of the success at the people-centred approach of the plan.

This award is the icing on the cake for what has been an award winning year for Clonakilty. Following on from our success at the “Great Town” award in London last November, this award is further recognition for our incredible new streetscape.

“Clonakilty’s popularity as a tourism destination is growing quickly and we are seeing tourism figures grow year after year.”

At the RIAI awards where Clonakilty won Best Place of the Year 2017:- L-R: RIAI president Carol Pollard , Paul Deere Dulux Paint Ireland Award?s sponsor, Giulia Vallone Cork County Council, Cllr Christopher O?Sullivan Deputising for the Mayor of Cork County, Clare Reidy Cork County Council and Sean McLoughlin Cork County Council. Photographer: Conor Healy Conor_Healy_Photography IAI president Carol Pollard, Paul Deere Dulux Paint Ireland Award’s sponsor, Giulia Vallone Cork County Council, Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan Deputising for the Mayor of Cork County, Clare Reidy Cork County Council and Sean McLoughlin Cork County Council Conor_Healy_Photography

Cllr O’Sullivan went on to say:

“Clonakilty is now a far more pedestrian friendly town. It is a town for people. Much of this can be attributed to the fantastic work of Cork County Councils Architects Department who have created spaces that the community use for events and gatherings, as was seen at the hugely successful Clonakilty street carnival last weekend.”

The now-completed Clonakilty Masterplan project has resulted in an increase in footfall and economic development of the town.

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