Freedom book to be digitalised
LOUTH County Council (LCC) is to consider digitalising the Freedom of Drogheda roll of honour to make it readily available to all citizens of the town, it has been revealed.
The council has said the County Archivist will review the matter and consider options and costs involved in digitising the historic Borough District of Drogheda role of Honour.
The issue was raised at the February meeting of Drogheda Municipal District in a notice of motion from Mayor of Drogheda, Councillor Paul Bell.
He called on the council to have the Freedom Book digitalised so that citizens could have access to this historic document by accessing it through the Louth County Council website.
‘Such an initiative would not only rptect the formal record as recorded in the existing book but would also be a record for historians, students and Droghedians all over the world,’ he said.
Speaking at the meeting, Mayor Bell said he noted the positive reply from the council.
He said the document is one which is of great interest to people and they want to see who is on it.
‘I’m not sure what the costings are to do this but I think it would be beneficial,’ he said.
Councillor Kevin Callan said he fully supported the motion and said there was no doubt that the book was showing some signs of wear and tear.
Meanwhile, Councillor Callan raised the issue of Phase 2 of work on the Tholsel building.
He said the council were successful in securing funding for this work back in 2017 and questioned what stage the plans for these works were at.
Councillor Callan said funding for work on Ardee Castle was applied for at the same time and was unsuccessful and yet the consultation process has started on Ardee Castle while work on the Tholsel has not. ‘ The Tholsel was supposed to be completed by 2020,’ he added.
Director of Services Paddy Donnelly said funding for Ardee Castle was secured in a different guise. He said he would look into the funding on the Tholsel and revert back to members.