This article is from page 36 of the 2008-06-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 36 JPG
THE former St Senan’s Church of Ireland in Kilrush was alive once again to the sound of music on Mon- day when it was officially opened as Teach Cheoil, Chill Rois by Senator Labhras O’Murchu.
The Ard Stiurthoir of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann told those at the cermony, “our cultural assets should be an enriching part of the lives of Irish people everywhere, particularly our young people. They should be a living, highly visible and vibrant part of society. They should be eas- ily accessible to all and their unique social, cultural and economic ben- efits should be fully realised by com- munities and individuals throughout
the country and in Irish communities abroad. St Senan’s Church of Ireland, Kilrush now to be known as “Teach Cheoil Chill Rois’ will have a central role in this cultural vision.”
The local branch of comhaltas “Inis Cathaigh Chill Rois” provided musi- cal entertainment for those who at- tended the opening. Kilrush is now a major beneficiary under the new De- velopment Programme of Comhaltas Ceoltdiri Eireann, which is being funded by the Government.
In 2007, Kilrush Community De- velopment Ltd signed over the lease of St Senan’s Church of Ireland to Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann.
Kilrush Community Development Ltd (KCDL) operated in Kilrush as a voluntary sector development or-
ganisation for 15 years.
One of the strategic projects under- taken by the group was the restora- tion of St Senan’s Church of Ireland, off Grace Street in Kilrush. The group acquired St Senan’s building from the representative church body of the Church of Ireland for the ben- efit of the community of Kilrush and west Clare. Restoration work was initially undertaken over a number of years through a FAS Community Youth Training Project, sponsored by KCDL.
The remainder of the works have now been completed by comhaltas including the restoration of the mag- nificent stain glass windows.
Teach Cheoil Chill Rois now serves as an outreach centre from Cois na
hAbhna, the Comhaltas Regional Resource Centre in Ennis.
According to Senator O Murchu, “While Comhaltas are conscious of respecting the integrity of this build- ing I feel it is equally important that the facility will be embraced by the local community of Kilrush and west Clare and that appropriate communi- ty groups will have access to it.”
The building has a capacity of 130 seated with a stage area and a small tea/coffee facility.
The board of Teach Cheoil Chill Rois are now planning a programme of events for Summer 2008, which will commence with Seisitin on AYA(ee DaTerXe Eh IVORY APAMO LoS KSTLUD OMRON Mm Batoae take place every Wednesday night through the summer months.