KILDARE: Mural on the way for disused water tower in Newbridge?

A Social Democrats councillor has suggested that a mural could be painted on Newbridge’s disused water tower.

The suggestion was brought up by Cllr Chris Pender at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting, which was held on Wednesday, October 18 last.

He asked Kildare County Council (KCC) to provide an update on the tower.

In response, KCC told him: "Newbridge Water Tower is on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.

"There are very strict guidelines in place as to what is permissible.

"If the councillor could outline his proposals, they will be forwarded to the Conservation Officer."

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender.

A representative for KCC stressed to Cllr Pender that any changes made 'must be reversible.'

Cllr Pender said that he would get in touch with the Conservation Officer.

There have been different calls in the past to have the structure painted with the town’s name and logo, in order to attract tourists.

In addition, back in 2017, one former councillor, Mark Doyle, suggested that KCC could explore the use of the water tower to provide bird boxes for endangered or wintering species of birds.