THERE WERE plenty of big smiles at Enniscorthy Athenaeum yesterday (Monday) as members of Wexford County Council gathered with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin TD, and representatives from Byrne & Byrne construction to officially sign the contracts to begin work on the restoration of the historic building. However, there were a few smiles missing from the photos and there was intense anger in political circles at the failure to invite either of Enniscorthy’s two TD’s, deputies John Browne and Minister Paul Kehoe, to the signing. Minister Kehoe in particular played a pivotal role in acquiring key funding for the building’s development.
Asked by The Echo if he had been invited, the Minister replied ‘no comment.’ Nor was the Chairman of Wexford Co. Council, Cllr Tony Dempsey invited to the signing of the contracts.
Dating from around 1892, the Athenaeum had slipped into a decrepit state in recent years, but now it is hoped with the new cash injection, it can be restored to its former glory and will once again be a cultural centre for the people of the town.
The building played a massive role in the 1916 Rising in Enniscorthy and it is hoped that all the work will be completed in time for it to play a massive role once again in the 1916 commemorations next year.
Speaking at the contract signing, Minister Howlin said that he believes that the project, which he says will cost just under €1million to complete, is money well spent.
“I think it’s a huge issue for the people of Enniscorthy,” he said. “This is a great cultural institution that has been just let go to rack and ruin. I think it’s very important that we breath new life back into it and no time is more appropriate than with the 1916 Rising commemorations coming up. Enniscorthy will really be the focal point for County Wexford during the commemorations and will be one of the most important places in the country.”
With time being of the essence, construction company Byrne and Byrne officially started working on the building on Wednesday of last week and they will now face an extremely busy few months as they race against the clock to restore the building in time for the programme of events planned for the 1916 commemorations.
When asked if it was likely that the work would be finished in time, Minister Howlin responded: “Well quite simply, it has to be. We’ve set out a programme of events for Easter Monday and this building features quite prominently in the plans for the town. This is a project where we can’t afford to run over time. At the moment, the plan is that the building will be handed over to the committee with a week to spare. Fingers crossed everything goes to plan.”
For more, see this week’s Echo.
Minister Brendan Howlin, Tony McClean (Chairperson of Athenaeum committee) and Cllr Paddy Kavanagh are pictured at the signing of contracts in Enniscorthy. Pic: Christy Farrell