A Laois County Councillor has made the case for the county to have its own museum.
Independent Councillor James Kelly brought forward a motion on the issue at a recent meeting of Laois County Council.
The Mountrath based Councillor called on Laois County Council to ‘provide funding to engage consultancy services to undertake a feasibility study with the collaboration of all stakeholders for the provision of a County Museum for Laois’.
He said: “This should be in line with the Heritage Council’s best practice guidelines in relation to inception, development and operation of a site specific museum.”
In response to Cllr Kelly’s motion, Irene Delaney of Laois County Council said: “It remains an ambition of this council to have museum facilities within the county, subject to the availability of resources.
“URDF funding has been approved to undertake a feasibility study for future uses of the Granary Building and the tender for that appointment has been published.
“We are also researching other opportunities through the Heritage Council.”
But where should this proposed museum go? Cllr Kelly believes that the existing Laois Courthouse on Main Street would be an ideal location.
Plans are in place to build a new courthouse in Laois and Cllr Kelly reckons this would be the perfect use of this building should it become vacant.
He said: “I’ve been involved with the Laois Historical Society for a number of years and there has always been a conversation about a museum.
“I was prompted to put in the motion from Councillor (Tommy) Mulligan’s motion last month about the provision of the new courthouse.
“Laois has a deep and proud history that deserves to be celebrated by the establishment of a site specific county museum.
“Laois tourism has always strived to reach its full potential in top attractions such as Emo Court, the Donaghmore Workhouse, the Rock of Dunamase, the Slieve Blooms and the cycle tracks, Heywood Gardens etc.
“We’ve got festivals, we’ve got gardens, we’ve got lakes, we’ve got fishing, we’ve got trails, cycling, we’ve got golf.
“And they’re all itemised in the top attractions in Laois which is a very important road map for the county. And of course our heritage and history is a vital part of who we are.
“The proposed museum should paint a fuller picture of the story of the county.
“And I’m sure that the provision of this would tap into the many collections around the county that would provide a wonderful resource to schools in particular. It would also provide an economic boost which would be a benefit to all of the county.”
Cllr Kelly’s motion received support from his colleagues – although Fine Gael’s Cllr Paddy Buggy raised concern over whether the Portlaoise Plane would fit in the courthouse.
It was agreed that there would surely be a way around this if it came to pass.
Cllr Kelly: “We have many artifacts that are lined up in the National Museum that need to be brought back to Laois as well.
“A museum is a way in which we get to take pride in ourselves and to showcase our history and our past.
“The big thing is the location. And I think now it’s up to our TDs to fight for this new courthouse.
“Not starting this development of a new courthouse is having a knock on effect. This is one such effect.
“I would see the courthouse as an ideal location in the centre of town. Even the architecture of the building is a fantastic building.
“My message from here is that we should put pressure on our TDs to fight for this new courthouse and keep working on this museum.”
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