Mayor Paschal Blake’s Project for 2014
New Town Clock and Renovation of An Grianán Theatre’s Plaza area
Letterkenny Town Mayor Paschal Blake today announced details of his Mayor’s project for 2014. His plan is to commission a new town clock and also to renovate the large plaza to the front of An Grianán Theatre where the new clock will be situated. With the theatre ‘s plaza now 15 years old, it was overdue for renovation with some hard winters taking a particular toll on the tiles and steps
Mayor Blake decided to make this his project for 2014 after he was invited by Anne McGowan, Chairperson of An Grianán Theatre to consider such a project during his term as Mayor.
The centrepiece of the new scheme will be a new town clock, specially commissioned from local artist Christy Keeney. The new clock will be made from steel and the design is in keeping with the modern style and construction of the theatre building. The clock will be constructed by Father and Son team Paul and Christopher Hynd from Joe Bonnar Metalcraft Ltd. The new town clock will be situated in a prominent position above the door of the theatre’s main entrance.
The work on the overall project will be co-ordinated by Letterkenny Town Council’s Engineer John McCarron and the scheme will be designed the Town Gardener David Donnelly. Work has already commenced on the renovation of the plaza and the new design will make the theatre more welcoming for members of the public. New paving and trees have already been installed and there will also be benches and plant pots added to the area. There will also be a new lighting scheme incorporating recessed ground level lighting in the paving, spotlights on the trees as well as flood lighting of the theatre’s façade to highlight the new clock.
The finishing touches to the design will be new paint work for the theatre’s facade with expert advice on the colour scheme provided by the consultants Anne McKeever and Clare McDonough from La Maison Interior Design under Letterkenny Tidy Town’s “Paint The Town” Initiative. The primary new colour is astral green with the trim in hemp beige. Painting is already underway and the work is being carried out by Gerard Farrell and his team.
The resources for this project come from Mayor Blake’s own fund as well as contributions from The Community Development Fund and Letterkenny Town Council. An Grianán Theatre is also making a significant contribution and the paint for the theatre building has been sponsored by Dulux and Foy’s of Letterkenny.
Mayor Paschal Blake, who is coming to the end of his term of office will launch the completed project and unveil the new town clock in a public celebration to be held on Saturday 17 May 2014.
An Grianán Theatre opened in October 1999 and rapidly earned a reputation for artistic excellence and accessibility. Now established as an integral part of Donegal’s cultural landscape, An Grianán has worked in close partnership with other key players in the county and nationally to invigorate and develop the local arts scene. The theatre is open to the public all day and one can avail of the excellent café and bar, view art exhibitions or, of course, attend a show. An Grianán is a registered charity and receives annual funding from the Donegal County Council, the Letterkenny Town Council, the Dept of Social Protection and the Arts Council/Chomhairle Ealaion.
For further information on the project please contact the theatre’s Director Patricia McBride on 0749123288 or angrianandirector @ gmail.com (remove spaces).
ENDS
