Art fund could help improve roundabout

A proposal to enhance the Lakepoint roundabout in Mullingar has sparked strong support among councillors, with calls to move beyond simple landscaping and create a landmark feature that reflects the identity of the town.

The motion, brought forward by Cllr Mick Dollard at the May meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, called for works to be carried out at the old N52 roundabout at the entrance to the Lakepoint residential areas in conjunction with Mullingar Tidy Towns.

The district office confirmed that the roundabout will be landscaped again in May or June 2026 as part of routine works.

However, Cllr Dollard said the location warranted a more ambitious approach, suggesting the roundabout could be used to showcase local sporting and cultural identity.

He referenced nearby GAA clubs St Loman’s and Shamrocks and said a sculptural feature, such as figures representing players contesting a ball, had previously been considered but never progressed.

“It’s a very high-profile roundabout in Mullingar,” he said, adding that such sites should be used to enhance civic pride and support Tidy Towns efforts.

Cllr Dollard also urged greater use of the One Per Cent for Art scheme, arguing that more creative funding should be directed towards public spaces in towns.

He said the scheme had not been fully utilised in recent years despite its proven benefits in delivering public art projects such as the Joe Dolan statue in Mullingar.

The proposal received broad support from other councillors, who argued that roundabouts should be used as visual gateway” features into towns rather than being limited to basic landscaping.

Cllr Emily Wallace said roundabouts in other countries often act as statements of identity for towns and villages, incorporating themes such as industry, culture or heritage.

She suggested that sponsorship, artistic input and alternative funding streams could be explored to deliver more distinctive designs.

“This is an opportunity to have a template for the district and hopefully the wider county,” she said.

Cllr Aoife Davitt also supported the motion, highlighting the strong sporting tradition in Mullingar, including GAA and handball achievements, and said a themed roundabout could reflect the town’s identity.

She also noted the large residential population in Lakepoint and said a landmark feature would enhance the entrance to the estate and surrounding area.

Cllr Bill Collentine also backed the proposal, saying Westmeath could lead the way in delivering more innovative roundabout designs.