8 October 1997
Mayo Dail Deputy Beverley Cooper-Flynn has received assurances from Minister for Arts, Culture, Gaeltacht and the Islands Ms. Sile De Valera that she is fully committed to the provision of £5 million for the development of Turlough Park House as the location for the Folklife Collection of the National Museum of Ireland.
In all it is envisaged that £8.5m. will be spent on the project, - £5m from the Office of Public Works with the balance coming from the coffers of Mayo County Council.
This flagship' project will result in an estimated visitor attraction in excess of 200,000 to the transformed Victorian mansion and grounds each year.
Prior to leaving office, former Tourism Minister Enda Kenny, had been given full and final' approval to allow the project proceed.
Now with the backing of the present Government it is hoped that the facility will be open to the public by the turn of the century.
Deputy Cooper-Flynn said she was delighted to have secured the Minister's total support for the project which she said would have immense benefits for the county as a whole.
She said: "The National Folklife Collection which is at present in storage in Daingean, Co. Offaly, is the most complete collection of artifacts representing everyday life in rural Ireland since the 18th century.
"The collection itself numbers nearly 9,5000 pieces and its exhibition here in Mayo will fit suitably into the heritage and history of our county."
Deputy Cooper-Flynn said the core staff level would be twenty, with a further twenty jobs being provided in ancillary services.
She said she hoped for continued investment in Turlough village itself side-by-side with the Turlough House Project.
"I will be particularly anxious to see progress on the planned Turlough village sewerage scheme so that it can be incorporated in the Museum development.
Turlough House and grounds were purchased by Mayo County Council six years ago for £250,000.
