While Ballaghaderreen faces a number of significant challenges in terms of its local economy, recent developments have given residents and business owners some cause for optimism.
The town has suffered from a continued fallout from Ireland’s most recent recession and a number of businesses have also been forced to close following the Covid-19 pandemic. But Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane believes the tide can turn.
“I met with the IDA in relation to job creation and opportunities in Ballaghaderreen in May. The town has suffered massively in the last ten years; many of the jobs lost in the 2008 recession were never replaced. Today, sadly, Businesses continue to close,” she said.
“I have asked the IDA to visit Ballaghaderreen and to look at any possible opportunities for jobs in the town. It is well located, well populated and has vacant premises’ both in and just outside the town. They agreed to come to the town and I hope that something can come out of this”.
Deputy Kerrane said the An Bealach Regeneration Project and the RosSligo Greenway would also create a number of new opportunities for the town.
“I hope the An Bealach Project can be progressed quickly as it too will present opportunities as well as a remote working space for those who have jobs elsewhere but can work remotely from Ballaghaderreen – keeping them in the town.
“The RosSligo Greenway, which I am a committee member of, also has the potential to be a game-changer for Ballaghaderreen,” she said.
