HistoricAthenaeumofficially openstowidespreadacclaim
THE historic Athenaeum was officially opened last Friday night after almost a year of conservation and restoration work.
The newly restored 150-seat theatre will act as a community and arts venue catering for drama productions, concerts and other public events and also features a new permanent exhibition on Wexford’s role during the Rising.
The exhibition includes a reconstruction of the actual HQ of the rebels in 1916 with the information presented on a series of props, graphics and supplemented by audio narratives. Dedicated spaces within the exhibition include a war council room, secretary’s office and an emergency hospital and kitchen.
The exhibition, which has been curated by Wexford County Council archivist Grainne Doran, also showcases a large-scale model of Enniscorthy Town and depicts a number of the buildings that featured prominently during the Rising. The space also features a multimedia exhibition.
The Athenaeum played a highly prominent role during the 1916 Easter Rising in County Wexford, when it was occupied the Irish Volunteers in support of the Dublin Rising. Using it as their headquarters, every aspect of Rising activity in County Wexford was co-ordinated from there. When not out on duty the Volunteers ate and slept in the building, while Cumann na mBan established a hospital in the auditorium and dormitories in the dressing rooms on the first floor.
Performing the opening Minister of State with Responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe has said that the investment of almost €950,000 from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, and Wexford County Council has safeguarded public access to this historic site for generations to come.
‘ The Athenaeum is an architectural gem and an important part of the culture and history of Enniscorthy. On Thursday April 27, 1916 around 150 Volunteers gathered on Irish Street, their actions and the selection of the Athenaeum as their command post have ensured its place in Irish history. It is very fitting that it was chosen as one of the Ireland 2016 ‘permanent reminders’. It will be a wonderful resource for locals and tourists keen to learn more about the 1916 Rising in Enniscorthy; and it will be an excellent facility for the arts in County Wexford.’
In his address he paid tribute to ‘Wexford County Council’s role in encouraging community participation during this centenary year. Right across the county there has been a vibrant, quality and diverse programme of arts and heritage events marking the Rising.
‘But the Athenaeum is about more than the Rising. It has always been a central part of life and culture here in Enniscorthy. Each and every person has their own memory or thoughts of this rich historical building; it might be thoughts of a relative who was here in 1916 or an involvement in the arts and cultural activities that took place here since.
Minister Kehoe went on to pay tribute to the members of the Defence Forces, who were represented at the occasion, for the central part they played in remembering the Rising, ‘From the military parade and ceremony at the GPO on Easter Sunday to the Flags for Schools Initiative, the Defence Forces have demonstrated the significance of the centenary. Whether at home or abroad, we can be proud of our Defence Forces, their dedication to their work and the manner in which they represent us all.’
The ceremony also included an inspection by Minister Kehoe of an honour guard of the Irish Defence Forces, with a large group of 1916 re-enactors also in attendance. The ceremony marked the conclusion the County Wexford 1916 Centenary Programme which has seen events taking place throughout the county to celebrate the proud and historic contribution made by Wexford during the 1916 Easter Rising.