Hawk’s Well renovation fund growing
A London professor is among the latest donors to the Hawk’s Well Theatre renovation fund.
Professor of Food and Health Policy at the University of London Dr Martin Caraher and his wife made a key contribution to the fund on their annual trip to the Sligo Live festival.
Speaking in Sligo on his return last week, Dr Caraher recalled his time living in Sligo thirty years ago: “When living in Sligo in the 1980s I remember the Hawk’s Well being built, it brought a novel and dynamic edge to the Sligo cultural scene at the time. I spent many an evening in the Hawk’s Well being exposed to music, theatre, dance and performances which still sit in my memory. Now, sadly, since moving to London, my trips to the Hawk’s Well are annual and usually coincide with the Sligo Live Festival. For these reasons, what I have gotten from the Hawk’s Well in the past and continue to receive I am more than happy to contribute to the renovation fund. We need to support local and regional arts projects,” he said.
Other recent donors include Sheena Henry from Kilcawley Construction and Bobby Jones and John Banks from Coolera Dramatic Society who recently donated the proceeds from the production ‘ Myra’s Story’ to the fund as well as making a major contribution towards new stage lights.
John Banks from Coolera Dramatic Society said: “We in CDS are delighted to have a top class theatre on our doorstep where we have staged our annual Christmas Pantomime since 1982 and where we’ve also presented our one and three act plays over the years. It’s a lovely intimate Theatre with all the facilities one would expect.” The theatre launched the renovation fund earlier this year to future- proof the venue. It was damaged after being flooded twice over Christmas 2015.
Funding is needed to make essential improvement within the theatre such as better wheelchair access and viewing positions and handrails to help patrons down steps. Management say the four full- time, 14 part- time and 10 casual staff are working in cramped conditions with no room to expand and little storage facilities. The Hawk’s Well have applied for several capital grants but if successful, all grants require a high proportion of match funding. Donations will form part of this match funding to help achieve a theatre building that reflects the artistic and cultural vibrancy of the region. To donate to the theatre please contact jane@ hawkswell. com or visit www. hawkswell. com/ support/ donate.