Construction on Moate fire station to start next year

Construction work on the former fire station in Moate is set to commence around the middle of next year. Moate lost its fire brigade in January of 2001 because of staff shortage. Plans to redevelop the old station were first mooted at the end of 2022.

At that time, the proposal was that the former fire station, which is attached to the courthouse that now houses Moate Library, would be converted to an office to be used by the local Town Team.

Moate was one of the first towns in Ireland awarded funding by the government to prepare a Town Centre First Masterplan.

That project is led by Westmeath County Council, working alongside the Town Team of local people and facilitated by an experienced team of consultants headed by Allies and Morrison.

In a query to the executive at the Athlone Moate Municipal District October meeting, Cllr Tom Farrell asked for an update on plans. In reply the council said: “The design is being progressed with a view to submitting a planning application Q4 2025. It is envisaged, subject to planning and approvals, that construction would commence Q2 2026.”