This article is from page 4 of the 2007-04-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
LISDOONVARNA Failte is facing a race against time to secure €1.27 million in Government grant-aid funding towards the provision of a new theatre for the north Clare Ke e0k
Currently, Clare County Council is deciding on the group’s plans to restore the existing Park Pavilion building, which will accommodate a theatre and community uses.
“Grant funding of €1.27 million has been set aside for the realisation of this project. However, we are re-
quired to satisfy the Department of Tourism of the project’s feasibility by June 30,” said architect for the project, John O’Reilly, in a letter to the council.
“To achieve this, we would greatly appreciate the council’s efforts in progressing this application within the two-month decision date dead- line.” The work proposed involves the carrying out of works to a pro- tected structure or a proposed pro- Kee Kore MID MUCOLAU TKO
Mr O’Reilly said that the project was for theatre and community use for such events as the Lisdoonvarna
Matchmaking Festival and it would encourage tourism in an area zoned for tourism development in the Clare County Development Plan 2005.
The Department of Tourism states that Lisdoonvarna will have to pro- vide evidence of matching funding to enable completion of the project and to comply with all conditions set down by the council and the Office of Public Works (OPW).
The letter also states that the pro- moters will have to provide any addi- tional funding required to complete the project. The letter states, “If the above conditions are not met by June
30, the grant will be withdrawn.”
Independent councillor Martin Lafferty said last night that “the res- toration of the theatre will provide a valuable asset for Lisdoonvarna and itis being driven by chairman of Lis- doonvarna Failte, Joe Garrihy.
“The building itself has a rich his- tory. It has a huge hall and massive floorspace and should be of great use to the people in the local area.”
The original grant was made by former Heritage Minister, Sile de Valera. Lisdoonvarna Failte success- fully applied for an extension to the erant approval.