Lady Sylvia donates €10,000

GENEROUS Gift to Bridewell Museum project in Bailieborough

A local woman has made a sizeable donation towards the restoration of the courthouse building in Bailieborough.

Lady Sylvia F. Townley-Peele met with Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, recently and handed over €10,000 to the cause.

The local woman, who resides predominantly in the US, is currently visiting her sister and staying at her family home - Melbourne House - which is on the same street as the Bridewell.

The building is being renovated and will soon become a Museum. “I have a great interest in this and in the heritage of Bailieborough,” said Lady Sylvia.

Following the cheque presentation, she was given a tour of the building, which is currently displaying mock-ups of the renovation plan.

“I was fascinated to view the underlying old red bricks where the plaster was chipped off exposing the engineering expert in the construction similar to the pyramids of Egypt, Mexico and elsewhere,” continued Lady Sylvia.

“All of that is from the days when computers were yet to be developed and judging weight, lift, pressure and balance in the field of construction.

“After this educational tour of such a historical building, I presented the Minister with a personal cheque for €10,000 as a donation to help defray the enormous cost to renovate Bailieborough Bridewell and Courthouse.”

Although well travelled, for Lady Sylvia, there is no place quite like home. “My love and caring toward my hometown of Bailieborough has always been my passion,” she said.

She thanked Minister Humphreys for her Department's commitment to the project also.

“Many generations will now be exposed to our precious history - history that locals and visitors alike can learn from.”