Cathaoirleach Cllr. Callaghan welcomed Mr. Sean Mulryan, Chairman and Chief Executive of Ballymore Group, Mr. David Killion, Development Director Ballymore, Ms. Josephine Feehily, Chair of Governing Body of TUS and Professor Brian MacCraith, former President DCU and Senior Advisor to the President of Arizona State University attending on behalf of the Athlone 2040 Steering Group.

He acknowledged Mr. Mulryan’s Roscommon roots, and his significant achievements in the property development industry including his recent receipt of the Freedom of London. He thanked Cllr. Brennan for proposing the invitation and expressed appreciation to the attendees for their willingness and promptness in attending.

Cllr. Callaghan outlined the ambitions of the Athlone 2040 project, Ireland’s first proposed Green City, and emphasised its importance for Athlone’s future development and the wider benefits to County Roscommon. He confirmed the Council’s commitment to working closely with Westmeath County Council to progress the initiative.

Mr. Mulryan thanked the Council and Executive for the opportunity to present the Athlone 2040 vision. He explained that the project originated eight years ago in response to congestion and capacity issues in Dublin and a desire to identify a sustainable national solution. Drawing on European examples, the Steering Group identified Athlone as the optimal location due to its central location and the presence of a strong university, which will anchor the project. He noted the significant economic, employment and population benefits anticipated for Roscommon and the Northwest Region, including an ambition to increase TUS Midlands student numbers from 6,000 to 25,000.

Mr. Killion presented the key drivers of the project: meeting projected population growth, achieving regionally balanced development, supporting the green transition, aligning with the National Planning Framework, addressing sustainability challenges, supporting the Programme for Government, and delivering sustainable, affordable housing and high-quality employment.

He outlined the six core pillars:

• Education & Skills
• Green Buildings & Infrastructure
• Nature Restoration & Biodiversity
• Innovation & Employment
• Sustainable Energy & Transport
• Design & Planning

Key objectives within these pillars include a 5,000?student eco?village, developing Athlone as a “15?minute sponge city”, achieving 90% renewable energy usage, enhanced intercity rail services, an innovation hub, eco?tourism initiatives, and a Smart City Digital Twin.

Professor MacCraith highlighted the project’s two central drivers: the Green Agenda and digital transformation, emphasising the importance of achieving net?zero emissions and establishing the innovation hub.

Ms. Feehily noted that TUS Midlands is a thriving campus but has reached capacity for student accommodation. She stressed the importance of attracting international students for both cultural diversity and economic benefit and advised that TUS Midlands has recently been awarded Professorships—an important milestone in advancing the university’s academic ambitions.

Mr. Killion added that the Athlone 2040 model is replicable in other towns as it leverages existing assets including the university, established town centre, the River Shannon, and current transport infrastructure. He noted that delivery mechanisms would draw on models such as Dublin IFAC, the Source Protection Zones (SPZs) and the London GLA approach, supported through collaboration between national Government, Local Authorities, District Councils and industry. Funding will be required from both National and EU sources.

Mr. Mulryan emphasised that going forward, Athlone 2040 needs to be a government-led project, not a Ballymore Properties development.

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Callaghan thanked the group for their detailed presentation, noting the significant opportunity it represents. He encouraged Members to get involved and use their influence to secure Government support. He also raised concerns regarding future water and electricity capacity and the high level of objection to wind farm proposals locally.

Members thanked the group for their presentation and expressed broad support for the Athlone 2040 project. The following points were raised:

• Strong and widespread support for the vision presented, with Members expressing excitement about its potential.
• Recognition of the project’s capacity to transform Roscommon and the wider Midlands and Northwest region.
• Calls for Government commitment and financial support.
• Requests for further detail on costings, next steps, and what alternative planning mechanisms may be required given the limitations of the standard local planning process.
• Acknowledgement of the ambition to rebalance national development away from congested cities such as Dublin and Galway.
• Queries regarding international examples of similar city?building initiatives.
• Questions on the overall timeframe and whether proposed targets are realistic.
• Queries regarding supporting infrastructure and services, including healthcare, airports, utilities, and hospital provision.
• Questions on how elected members can best support the progression of the project.
• Clarification sought on future building height and density requirements.
• Praise for Mr. Mulryan’s vision and international track record with large?scale developments.
• Reference to similar projects such as those underway in Utrecht, Netherlands.
• Calls for improvements to surrounding road infrastructure.
• Support for the project’s strong focus on the Green Agenda and technology, noting its potential to attract and retain young people.
• Recognition of the high?level national praise the plan has already received, with Members emphasising the need for tangible support and funding.
• Calls for Government to fast?track the project.
• Recognition of the important role Knock Airport could play.
• Suggestions that the Eastern Regional Assembly and North West Regional Assembly could assist in securing EU funding, including through the 2028 Green Programme.
• Proposal to explore twinning with Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, given Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency.
• Members that are part of Government parties committed to engage with Government colleagues to support the project.
• Acknowledgement of Adrian Jones, Chairman and Co?Head of Global Equity at Goldman Sachs and a native of Tulsk, as a member of the Steering Committee.
• Recognition of Ireland’s increasing attractiveness as a place to live due to climate change and the need to proactively plan for this growth.
• Appreciation of the project’s potential to enhance quality of life in Roscommon and encourage population retention.
• Support for the development of a high?speed rail connection.
• Observations that population growth is occurring regardless, and that this project offers a planned, coherent alternative to ad hoc development.

Mr. Killeen thanked Cllr. Brennan for initiating the invitation and emphasised that political and community support would be essential to advancing the project. He said further detailed work on costings and governance structures is required, noting that Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) will be central to securing appropriate land banks.

He advised that the team is examining successful planning frameworks including Grangegorman, SDZs, IFAC and the GLA model. He stated that services not currently in place—such as a hospital—would naturally follow as the city develops. He assured Members that the group is committed to ongoing engagement with all relevant stakeholders.

Mr. Mulryan advised that a preliminary estimate of costs would be approximately €1 billion per year for the first five years. He emphasised the need for a top?down approach led by Government, including the appointment of a senior civil servant and the establishment of a body with authority to manage CPOs and streamline planning.

He noted that legislative precedents exist from the Dublin Docklands project and that recent national Budget surpluses could support investment. He stated that the project will soon move beyond the remit of the committee and that Government must determine the next steps.

He explained that the project does not anticipate high?rise development, with the focus instead on medium?density housing, three?storey homes and seven to eight?storey apartment buildings. He added that developing a new airport would not be necessary; existing airports at Knock, Shannon and Dublin can meet regional needs, with greater priority placed on public transport expansion and road improvements.

Ms. Feehily highlighted that universities have extensive experience in master?planning and that TUS will progress its own plans regardless of the broader development. She said the university aims to expand its facilities and build a world?class brand. She noted the strong connection of Roscommon students to TUS Midlands but identified limited local employment opportunities as a challenge. She emphasised the university’s growing relationship with businesses in Monksland and willingness to expand partnerships across the region.

Professor MacCraith underlined the transformative impact that adequate investment in a university can deliver. He referenced Aarhus, Denmark, as an example of a smart, sustainable green city, which is on track to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, which is twenty years ahead of Denmark’s national target. He noted that renewable energy accounts for just 25% of European usage in 2024, and that Ireland ranks 25th out of the EU27, highlighting the scale of work required. He stressed the role of the university in supporting the talent pipeline necessary to deliver the Green Agenda.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

            SECONDED by Cllr. Moylan

It was AGREED to write to the Taoiseach endorsing the Athlone 2040 project in its entirety and call on the Taoiseach to immediately take on the necessary steps from a whole Government approach to enable this vision to be brought to fruition and to include the development of an SDZ or such other appropriate special legislation to allow the fast tracking of the planning process.

Chief Executive, Shane Tiernan, welcomed the guests and thanked them on behalf of the Executive and Management Team for their comprehensive presentation. He outlined that many meetings have taken place with the group, the Chief Executive in Westmeath County Council and the economic forum. He noted the work being done to enhance the economic strategy, the transport strategy, strategic plans and the positive way that this can grow sustainable towns, green travel, green transport, sustainable travel, connectivity, tourism, education, linking the West of Ireland to the East. He emphasised that the plan needs recognition and decision making, the funding of €1 billion a year is a significant investment but has phenomenal potential for long-term return. He wished the group success.

Mr. Mulryan thanked everyone for their comments and support and noted that pressure now needs to be put on the government to bring this to fruition.

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Callaghan committed to discussing the matter with Government colleagues.