New Year Messages: Focus remains on road upgrades, community and housing delivery

Happy New Year to all in the Kells Municipal District.

In 2025, I was delighted to see social housing developments completed in Kells and Athboy, while we also delivered the Drumconrath Safe Routes to School project and hosted cultural events that truly define our area: the Siamsa Glas Festival, the Samhain Festival of Food & Culture, and the Hinterland Festival. These festivals brought thousands of visitors and showcased our rich heritage and creativity.

This year’s budget provides €100,000 for road safety improvements and €2.5 million countywide for regeneration projects, including enhancements to public spaces and tackling vacancy. We will also advance climate action programmes and digital services to improve connectivity.

Importantly, 2026 will see progress on the Kells Print Works project, creating a unique cultural and educational space that celebrates our printing heritage and supports tourism and creative industries.

Our focus remains on rural road upgrades, cultural development, and community well-being, and a continued focus on prioritising the delivery of housing throughout the Kells MD.

Thank you all for your commitment—let’s make 2026 a year of growth and shared success.