8 July 1998

LOCAL CONTRIBUTION VITAL TO SUCCESS OF INNOVATIVE PROJECT

REPORT: TOM GILLESPIE

A £350,000 blueprint has been drawn up to transform Castlebar's historic Town Hall into a multi-purpose arts facility.

The entire complex is to be taken over by the Linenhall Arts Centre who have occupied portion of the building for the past twelve years.

A total of £300,000 is to be provided for the project by Mayo County Council, Castlebar Urban Council and the Arts Council. The remaining £50,000 will have to be raised by way of local contribution.

At a press conference at the Linenhall Arts Centre, director Marie Farrell said her Board hoped to have raised the funds by the end of October which would enable work to start on the development early in the New Year.

Speaking at the reception the chairman of Castlebar Urban Council, Mr. Blackie Gavin congratulated the Linenhall on their ambitious plane. He said his council were delighted to assist the project and he commended Maire Farrell and her staff for the tremendous strides they had make in developing the arts in Castlebar He urged members of the public to support the fund raising drive and he looked forward to seeing the new centre develop even further in the years ahead.

Mayo County Manager, Mr. Des Mahon added that his council were pleased to be associated with the development of the Linenhall Arts Centre and he said their Arts Officer John Coll had worked closely with the centre in the past. He said he was surprised when he discovered that there were over two-hundred arts groups throughout the county each of which were being co-ordinated by Mr. Coll.

Mr. Mahon said the development of the Town Hall into a multi-purpose arts centre would enhance the quality of life for those living in the Castlebar area and would provide access to a wide range of the arts. He congratulated Marie Farrell and her staff for the tremendous work they have been doing over the years in promoting and developing the arts.

Mr. Mahon added: "The renovation and development of the Linenhall Arts Centre is seen as an integral part of the overall improvement of the cultural infrastructure of Co. Mayo.

"The Centre has served Castlebar and the region in the past, providing a balanced quality arts programme for the community."

Outlining the plans for the complex Marie Farrell said the Town Hall would be transformed into a modern theatre with flexible performance space. It would contain purpose-built dressing rooms, improved stage lighting and comfortable new auditorium seating.

It would also contain a Sculpture Yard for displays of contemporary sculpture and art installations as well as new workshop space for community arts groups. There would be a new ticket office, reception foyer and main entrance and it would have disabled access to all performances.

She said the Arts centre has been located in part of the Town Hall building since 1986 with the Arts Council coming on board with funding four years later. Since then it has gone from strength to strength and had established a track record second to none, with national recognition for the excellence of its programme. She said she was the director and sole member of staff in the early years. Now, however, there is a permanent staff of three with an additional fifteen part-time workers employed through FÁS-funded Community Employment.

Just recently the Linenhall was awarded a Special Merit at the FÁS Community Initiatives Awards with praise for the high standard of work and innovation shown by the team.

Ms. Farrell added: "The Linenhall currently offers a programme of rama, music, film and the visual arts of the highest professional standards with many internationally recognised performers regularly appearing.

"We also have an innovative and exciting community arts programme which has resulted in some ground-breaking projects for the marginalised in our community in recent years. Now the Linenhall is looking back to the community for support. A vibrant and lively arts scene such as the Linenhall supplies makes Castlebar and its hinterland an exciting and attractive place for people to move to and live in, a place in which people can take pride.."

She said as part of the fund raising drive they were offering the business community in the region the opportunity to become Linenhall patrons. There is also a chance for individuals to Sponsor A Chair in the new auditorium. All contributions will be greatly accepted by Marie and her staff.

She added: "The plan is to turn the existing building complex into a multi-purpose arts facility.

"This will include taking over the Town hall on a long term lease and equipping it with state-of-the-art stage, dressing rooms, lighting and proper seating.

"This will enable the Linenhall to accept big touring companies and shows which it has so far been unable to programme."

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - July 1998