THE ALL-IRISH Taibhdhearc theatre in Galway city, which was severely damaged by fire four years ago, is set to reopen next year after securing Government funding for its refurbishment.
It has been closed since the blaze in 2007, but a commitment from both the Galway City Council and the Government – each have promised €300,000 for the work – should see the curtains go up in the iconic theatre once again.
The board of the Taibhdhearc will provide a further €300,000 for the refurbishment to make up the remainder of the costs for the works.
Fine Gael TD Brian Walsh said it was a huge boost to the language and the city after the Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Dinny McGinley, confirmed the required Government funding.
“This is good news for An Taibhdhearc and for Galway and a compliment to the board of An Taibhdhearc, who do their work on a voluntary basis,” said Mr Walsh.
According to former Gaeltacht minister Éamon Ó Cuív, the funding stems from a commitment from the previous government to undertake the project.
“There was a legal obligation on the Government to make the €300,000 available as long as the Taibhdhearc fulfilled the conditions of the letter from [former minister] Pat Carey,” said Mr Ó Cuív.
“They had no choice; that money was sanctioned subject to petition and when that happens in government, the new government has to honour the commitment.
“And I am glad that rather than forcing the Taibhdhearc to go to the Ombudsman that the Minister has had the good sense to recognise that this money was sanctioned, that he has the money to give them, and I understand that one way or another the money will be made available. I am delighted for them because the Taibhdhearc deserves it,” he said.
The city council’s share of the funds will be delivered over a six-year period in €50,000 instalments and work is expected to begin this autumn.