Council tribute to 1916 heroes

PLANS for tribute artwork acknowledging the role of Cumann na MBan 1916 were discussed at the September meeting of Louth County Council.

Councillors heard there are plans in the pipeline to incorporate a piece of infrastructure into a park that is included in the new Colaiste Chu Chulainn school design.

Director of Service, Frank Pentony explained the new school scheme includes the public park being created on the same site, and a recommendation had been put forward for a piece of feature infrastructure to commemorate the role of the Cumann na MBan in 1916.

Cllr. Conor Keelan said he welcomed it being included in the park design.

However Cllr. Edel Corrigan suggested a feature being added to a public building, such as a stained glass window in a building like Dundalk library, to honour Cumann na MBan.

She added that as this is a multipurpose building, it was widely used by the general public.

CEO Joan Martin told the council that there could be an opportunity to access the ‘Percent for Art’ scheme in funding the feature in the park, but if they decided on a stained glass window they could ‘run into budgetary difficulties.’

Cllr. Alan Cassidy added that there were a number of companies in Louth which could produce a commemorative stained glass window, adding ‘ it might not be as costly as you think.’ He appealed to staff to ‘at least get a quote.’

Cllr. Marianne Butler said the park ‘ would be a considerable draw for people from across the town.’