by Louise McCarthy

ENNISCORTHY’S HISTORIC landmark building has been granted €250,000 to enable its opening for the county’s 2016 commemorations.

Relief has been expressed by the Directors of Enniscorthy Athenaeum Ltd., following the long-awaited announcement that the focal point of the  1916 Easter rising in Wexford will soon be open to the public.

The Athenaeum was unoccupied by the Irish Volunteers for the duration of Easter 1916 and was the last garrison to surrender in the country. On March 1, 1916, from the stage of the Athenaeum, Padraig Pearse gave one of his last speeches as his execution took place a mere eight weeks later.

Speaking to The Echo, Helen Ashdown, said, “As custodians of The Athenaeum, we are also determined to see it operating as a living functioning building for the benefit of the people of the town and the hinterland.”

Ms Ashdown, a native of Enniscorthy, has been part of a committee fighting for the restoration of the Athenaeum, since 2008. It is planned that the Athenaeum will have a capacity to seat 200 people and will be used for the performance of plays and musicals.

The funding announcement comes following a recent meeting at the Athenaeum, those present included representatives of the committee, District Manager Padraig O’Gorman, Minister for Expenditure Brendan Howlin and Government Chief Whip Paul Kehoe.