Funding is set to help restore Mitchelstown’s Georgian glory
‘THINK OF THE HUGUENOT QUARTER IN CORK OR THE LATIN QUARTER IN GALWAY. THEN YOU GET A SENSE OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE’
MITCHELSTOWN is set to further underline it credentials as one of North Cork’s premier tourism destinations following a grant allocation of €360,000 for the development of a ‘Georgian Quarter’ in the town.
The grant, consisting of €270,000 from the Department of Rural and Community Development and another €90,000 from Cork County Council, is the beginning of an investment in heritage tourism in Mitchelstown, above and beyond anything the town has seen before.
A primary focus of the funding will go towards the architecturally rich area of King Square, Kingston College, George Street and Saint George’s Arts and Heritage Centre, located in the former Church of Ireland parish church.
The town has always boasted having the finest Georgian square in any small town in Ireland, but it has long been neglected and sadly overlooked.
With the help of this grant, plans will be devised to enhance those areas by doing such things as the removal of overhead wires; the installation of antique-style public lighting; creation of pedestrian-friendly areas; improved landscaping and interpretive signage.
“Creating the Georgian Quarter is a vision for the future that will enhance and promote community life, tourism, business and culture in Mitchelstown,” said Bill Power, who advised on the historical content of the application for funding to the Department. Bill is also chairman of Saint George’s Arts Centre and is widely acknowledged for his expertise on local history and heritage.
“Think of the Huguenot Quarter in Cork or the Latin Quarter in Galway, and then you get a small sense of what’s possible,’ said Mr Power.
The buildings in the Georgian Quarter include 31 houses and the chapel of Kingston College; 13 private residences in King Square; Saint George’s Church (now an arts centre); the Mitchelstown Bridewell and the former Kingston Schoolhouse.
‘Mitchelstown is regarded as one of the best-planned towns in Ireland, but all too often that has been ignored by locals and officialdom. The concept behind this project, for which huge credit must be given to Cork County Council, is that by improving the appearance and attraction of the Georgian areas of the town, we can make Mitchelstown a tourism destination. More importantly, we can make the Georgian Quarter an area local people will appreciate,” said Mr Power.
Among other things, the Georgian Quarter aims to bring about a transformation in the perception of Mitchelstown, once famously described by the writer, Elizabeth Bowen, as ‘a farmers’ town’.
Mr Power said that until it was looted and burned in 1922, Mitchelstown Castle was the biggest neo- Gothic house in Ireland. He said its loss to the country was enormous, but the legacy of buildings and the townscape associated with it have survived in the town itself, and with the right investment can be enhanced and improved.
“Those who have known me for a long time know that I’ve been passionate about the history and heritage of Mitchelstown for most of my life. We have been working quietly on this project since last January, when I was approached by Pauline Moriarty and Niall Healy of Cork County Council to ask if I would prepare a proposal as to what could be done with such a concept,” he said.
“I was sworn to secrecy at the time, so we worked quietly, almost like conspirators, because we were seeking funding that isn’t easy to get and which is aimed at revitalising small towns like Mitchelstown. Everyone wants the money, so the list of applicants is long.”
Mr Power was effusive in his praise for Mary Hayes of Cork County Council, who had the responsibility of putting the application together and setting it in a context that showed the Department it was worth funding. He said local county councillors have also been key to the project.
“We tick-tacked on the potential of the townscape which I was able to bring to Ms Hayes’ attention, including the fact that, 36 years ago, the council produced and published a heritage plan for the town. But it was not backed up with funding or local support and was eventually shelved and forgotten,” he said.
“The ironic thing is that most of that plan is as valid today as it was back then. If it had been implemented in the 1980s and 1990s, messy developments that detract from the appearance of the town could have been avoided.”
Mr Power said that for more than 40 years he had “hoped and dreamed” that someday someone would share his vision of seeing the historic areas and buildings of Mitchelstown enhanced and appreciated for their architectural beauty and heritage.
“Most of the time, I felt like I was howling in the darkness. But never before was I as optimistic that my dream might finally come true. This is good for Mitchelstown and it’s good for north Cork. It has the potential to help re-shape the sometimes negative image of Mitchelstown. People will get to appreciate the George Street and King Square areas for their special qualities.”
He said he had been assured that Saint George’s Arts and Heritage Centre will benefit from the grant, as will other areas of heritage importance in the Georgian Quarter.
“However, at this early stage, how this will come about has yet to be agreed and discussed. But I would anticipate the public will be involved in a consultation process related to whatever works are planned,” said Mr Power.
“It will be good for local people and local businesses, and it will enhance one of the most beautiful areas of the town, of which Saint George’s will be the southern focal point. This can be a win-win for everyone.”
What is particularly notable about the Georgian Quarter is that it will be linked to other local heritage tourism developments such as Mallow Castle, Doneraile Park and Annesgrove Gardens in Castletownroche.
“This is where the Council can form a cohesive plan which will see Saint George’s Arts Centre evolve into a visitor destination where the story of the area, particularly the story of Mitchelstown Castle, can be told and interpreted,” said Mr Power.
“What is different about the Georgian Quarter concept is that significant funding is being poured into it this year, and more substantial funding is expected to follow in the years ahead. Of course, everyone involved is concerned that the economic crisis facing the country at the moment will adversely affect the project, but there are indications that the Government will try to keep funding in place so that it can help restart local economies.”