€5.3m Virginia centre tenders 'to issue shortly'

PLAN Ramor and Cavan Townhall to work in tandem - McIntyre

 

Tenders for the proposed €5.3 million Virginia 'Civic, Cultural and Library Services' project, an ambitious regeneration plan for the centre of Virginia Town, will “issue shortly” once Department approval is attained.
Fittingly, elected members decamped their February monthly meeting from the Council chamber in Cavan Town to the Ramor Theatre stage where John Wilson, Senior Engineer, provided the status update.
The development, Mr Wilson explained, will see a new three-storey facility built, comprising a community library, meeting rooms and events/ exhibition areas. The complex has been designed to provide a high level of multifunctional and flexible space, while the former Parochial House, located adjacent to the theatre, will be transformed to provide a box office and office space along with a digital suite with an interactive tourist information system.
The existing theatre meanwhile will be upgraded and linked to the new box office space and library, through the construction of a glass foyer which will provide access to the Civic Centre and link the three elements.
As Mr Wilson exited stage left, the spotlight focused attention on Padraic McIntyre, Ramor Theatre Manager, and now the newly appointed Director across both it and the Townhall Arts Centre in Cavan Town.
He started by paying tribute to the “vision” of several people, not least among them the late former County Manager Brian Johnston who saw the Ramor building's potential as a theatre almost two decades ago.
Considering what lies ahead for the Ramor and that portion of the south-east county town, the Bailieborough-native said: “With these plans I believe we will have a cultural centre unrivalled in Ireland and something all the people of Virginia and Cavan to be very proud of, a true beacon for the arts and culture in east Cavan.”
The additional studio/ rehearsal room located in the basement of the new development he said was “huge” as current space constraints had proven “somewhat problematic with certain projects struggling to happen.”
The project, he added, comes at an “exciting time” for arts and culture in the county, with the newly renovated Townhall Arts Centre in Cavan Town set to officially reopen next month.
He said both the Townhall and the Ramor would now “work in tandem in an integrated approach” in a manner that will share “expertise, experience and resources” to deliver top class events to both venues.
Mr McIntyre stated his belief that places like the Ramor were more important now than ever before in how they have become and can be developed further as a social meeting place to help combat issues such a rural isolation.
“I feel going forward with the two venues the branding of Cavan County Council should move more front and centre, so people are aware of the contribution we as a Council are making in these areas.”
As part of this, the two art and cultural hubs will be engaging in an outreach programmes. It will see the Townhall in Cavan work westwards, linking with other Council venues such as the Dowra Courthouse, Blacklion Marketplace, and the Civic Centre in Belturbet, as well as towns like Arvagh, Killeshandra and Ballyconnell. The initiative will be called 'Over the Gap'.
The Ramor Theatre, meanwhile, will equally direct its focus to the south and east, to Cootehill, Shercock, Kingscourt, Bailieborough, Mullagh and Ballyjamesduff.
The first of the projects to be rolled out will happen as part of the upcoming 'Cavan Calling' festival, Mr McIntyre explained, when a production of 'Kamikaze', written by John McManus and produced by Mr McIntyre himself, will tour venues across the county.
“It's a hugely exciting time, but we believe the infrastructure is now in place here in Cavan to deliver an arts and culture programme in the county that many other local authorities can only dream of,” he concluded.