by Ronan Casey
With the majority of the historic Market Square building in Mullingar now empty, local politicians have renewed their calls that the building be turned into a museum, with tourist information points erected outside in a bid to enhance the tourism offering of Westmeath.
At a meeting on Monday, Cllr. Aidan Davitt (FF) proposed the building be turned into a museum, to honour the musicians of the town past and present. Other Councillors felt its remit should be stretched beyond music to incorporate the army and others who gave so much to the town. Cllr Davitt then said he had been contacted by someone in the army who said they are willing to give Mullingar artefacts currently boxed up in Custume Barracks in Athlone back to the town.
The Council told him they were “conscious of the pivotal location of the overall building in the town and in terms of letting same wish to see a balance between the commercial rent necessary to fund the ongoing maintenance of this Protected Structure on the one hand and the buildings history as a public building on the other. The Council must also take cognisance of the very considerable initial cost that would be involved in providing a public facility such as the suggested museum in the building – and, of course, of the ongoing operational costs of such a facility.”
Cllr Davitt said he was “not impressed” with the reply. “We need to open our minds a bit more. That building is in good order and should be a focal point for tourists to Mullingar. We have to sell ourselves and there are plenty of people who would give their time and artefacts to promote Mullingar. Could we not try it on a pilot basis during the summer months?” he asked.
Cllr Ken Glynn (FF) seconded the motion, saying the town “is crying out” for such a facility, and with talent like Niall Horan bringing tourists into the town, and the Joe Dolan statue photographed every day, music should play a key role.
“We simply must have a museum,” was the view of Cllr Andrew Duncan (FG) whilst Cllr Una D’Arcy (SF) spoke at length of the importance of tourism to the local economy.
Cllr Mick Dollard (Lab) said the Council should be spending money on tourism and a museum and tourism information boards on the Market Square were “a must”. He said a museum should encompass all aspects of Westmeath heritage including music, the military, transport and more.
The Council agreed in principal to the advertising board and said options will be looked into.
With regard to the museum, whilst they were worried about wheelchair access to the Market House, Council official David Hogan said the local authority would, over the summer, develop a “broad proposal” to bring to Councillors. He said a museum would be a great opportunity for the town to celebrate its music and military history.
