THE €2 million grant that was recently allocated to the Garage Theatre from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism towards the construction of a new theatre in the centre of Monaghan Town was welcomed at a meeting of Monaghan Town Council recently.

Monaghan Town Council has provided a site for the new theatre. Cathaoirleach Pádraigín Uí Mhurachadha said that it was her “longheld ambition” to see a theatre in the centre of the town. She also added that she hoped that the young people of Monaghan would be encouraged to take an interest in drama. Joining in the note of welcome, Sinn Fèin Councillor, Sean Conlon singled out for praise the commitment of all those associated with the Garage Theatre and Monaghan V.E.C., spanning over many years, in their determination to see the long held vision of a new home for the Garage.

Speaking on Local Authority support for a new theatre Cllr. Conlon stated,

“Correspondence from 2001 and more recently highlights the Town Council’s support to the Garage in their efforts to have a new theatre for the town. Nearly two years ago that endorsement was significantly enhanced by unanimous agreement that the Council would make a site available for this worthy project that would have considerable benefit for the town and wider region.”

Chairman of The Garage Theatre Board of Directors, David Maxwell called the €2 million allocation “great” and said that the town centre is an ideal location for the new theatre. However, he also added, “the hard work now begins” in actually securing a new theatre for the town.

The funding, part of an overall allocation of over €10 million to 13 major arts and cultural projects throughout the country, comes under the final round of investments under ACCESS II, the Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme. The primary focus of the scheme is the refurbishment and enhancement of existing arts and culture facilities and support for new building projects in strategic geographic locations.