NEWS ROUND-UP

Archaeological projects are to receive funds

Funding has been given to seven archaeological heritage projects in Sligo.

The Community Monuments Fund will support 139 projects in Ireland through a fund of €4.2 million.

The funding is broken into three different streams for various types of works and restorations.

Under Stream one – which is essential repairs and capital works for the conservation and repair of archaeological monuments – Moygara Castle receive €84,979.25 while Easkey Abbey will benefit from an allocation of €20,650.

Under Stream Two – Development of conservation management plans/reports that are aimed at identifying measures for conservation of archaeological monuments and improving public access – Doonfore Castle in Maugherow and Enniscrone Castle will receive €25,000 and €14,000 respectively. Meanwhile €18,372.75 has been allocated to St Fechin’s Church in Ballisodare and €11,635.80 will be granted for work on Kilross Stone, a cross pillar stone unearthed in 2018. Finally, Stream Three – For enhancement of access infrastructure and interpretation (including virtual/online) at archaeological monuments (including Covid-19 protection measures) – will provide €30,000 for the Green Fort in Sligo town.

Cllr Thomas Walsh said: “€204,638 for seven Sligo Projects is very welcome and I wish to thank all those communities who had a part in the application process. I also want to thank our heritage officer, Siobhan Ryan in Sligo County Council, for her work in supporting these seven heritage projects in obtaining this vital funding.”

Man set fire to a car on the Strandhill Road

A man with addresses in Sligo and Roscommon has pleaded guilty to one count of arson, at the circuit court. David Parkes , has pleaded guilty to setting fire to a car on the Strandhill Road on June 5, 2019.

Parkes with addresses at Cloondara, Ballisodare ,and Alderford, Ballyfarnon,

Co. Roscommon, entered a guilty plea to one count of arson to a Volkswagen Amarok at Lecarrow, Strandhill, when he appeared before Sligo Circuit Criminal Court. Parkes was previously charged with causing damage to a window belonging to Michael Gilligan, a second count of arson to a VW Tiguan at Lecarrow, and the unlawful taking of a vehicle belonging

Happy third birthday to our little sister Molly. Lots of love from Tommy and Lilly. MORE HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHOTOS ON PAGES 20 & 21 to Wojciech Czajka on the same date.

State prosecutor Leo Mulrooney told the court following arraignment of Parkes on a single count of arson that it was not yet known if the DPP would require a guilty plea to all charges.

Defence counsel Colm Smyth told the court that the defendant had a recent conviction for possession of drugs, but had no other convictions The counsel asked for a Probation Report.

Judge Francis Comerford directed that a Probation Report be prepared.

The court also asked for a Victim Impact Statement.

The defendant was remanded on continuing bail until November 16.

Sligo features in new National Gallery vidoes

Sligo landscapes will feature in a new series of video talks from the National Gallery of Ireland.

Spanning the four provinces of Ireland, the new series, called The Art of Walking, aims to inspire people with art from the gallery’s collection. The series is exclusively available to Friends of the National Gallery of Ireland.

The Connacht-themed talk is led by Anne-Marie Clarke, from the Gallery’s guide panel.

Anne-Marie is based in Sligo and her video talk references artworks by a number of noteworthy artists with Connaught connections such as Jack B Yeats and Paul Henry and Sligo-based artist Nick Miller.

She also looks at artworks by Frederic William Burton, Mainie Jellett, William Evans of Eton and Walter Frederick Osborne, and some of their depictions of Mayo and Galway.

The National Gallery say that the talks might provide inspiration for those holidaying around Ireland this year, who wish to enjoy walks – be it waymarked trails or a stroll along a quayside, holidaymakers can picture some paintings or drawings at the same time or the videos can be viewed online, for a glimpse of landscapes from around the country from the comfort of home.

Annual membership starts at €35, with Individual, Joint, Concessionary, Patron and Student categories available. More details, including sign up and a full programme of Friends Fortnight events, at www.nationalgallery.ie.

41-year-old admits assault

A Sligo resident has pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm, at the Circuit Court.

Hang Cai (41) from Avondale, Strandhill Road, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm

Cousins and best friends Sadie (3) and Ben Byron (4) on the farm of their grandfather Paddy Byron in Carrowhubbock North, Enniscrone, this week.

to Lan Fang at Rathfin Close, Farrmhill, Strandhill Road, on April 13 last year.

Defence counsel Keith O’Grady said the defendant had no previous convictions and asked for a Probation Report. The counsel said the defendant had alcohol issues but was currently abstaining. Judge Francis Comerford put the case back to November 16 for that report.

The defendant was remanded on continuing bail until that date.

A second major supermarket in Tubbercurry

Just three months after planning permission was granted for a new SuperValu supermarket in Tubbercurry, Lidl Ireland announced on Thursday last that they are also to build a new store in the south Sligo town.

Lidl which already has two stores in Sligo town, has lodged a planning application for a state-of-the-art store in Tubbercurry, which will involve a €6 million investment.

The supermarket chain say the proposed store will create more than 35 new permanent jobs with the retailer and support 80 more through the construction phase. Interestingly, the site for the new store is on Circular Road, which is also where the new Surlis SuperValu is to be built. Lidl has said that their new store will incorporate a range of sustainability features including an ISO 50001 certified Energy Management System, electric vehicle charger spaces and a solar panel system.

Regional Property Executive for Lidl Ireland Brian Smyth said: “We have had a long-standing desire to offer a superior shopping experience in the vibrant and thriving community of Tubbercurry, and as such we are pleased to lodge our application for a brand new store on Circular Road this week.”

“In these challenging times for our economy, we are eager to bring significant local investment, new jobs and market leading value and quality to the local community. Our team are looking forward to facilitating open lines of communication with the local residents to keep them informed of updates and to get their

input and feedback on our plans for the new store.” In January, Lidl announced plans to recruit 10 new employees to its Sligo town operations this year, in addition to the 35 roles as part of the Tubbercurry application.

The Hawk’s Well Theatre has this week announced that it is opening its doors again. In line with the easing of government restrictions, the first indoor event at the theatre in over nine months will take on Saturday week, June 26.

Called Open Up and subtitled The Show Goes On, this live performance is set to include a host of artists including Killian Filan, Luke Devaney, Miriam Needham, Nichola MacEvilly, Amy O’Hara, Seamus O’Rourke, Seamie O’Dowd and Sandy Kelly.

After the longest closure in the theatre’s almost 40 year history, a spokesperson for the Hawk’s Wall said they were “thrilled” to be opening the doors and welcoming audiences back.

Staff are gearing up to open up and welcome attendees to celebrate the joy of live performance once more, with a specially curated selection of performances from local performing artists planned.

Open Up will showcase live performances from Hawk’s Well Theatre’s initiatives that have taken place during the closure, including Come Together, Cultural Companions and Snapshot, which are all artistic responses to the last year.

An hour-long performance featuring spoken word, live theatre, and music, Open Up will have a very limited capacity, so early booking advised. Tickets, costing €15 (plus €1 renovation fee) are available to book now via the theatre’s website, or in person from the box office.

The theatre is currently planning more live events which will take place to small capacity audiences over the summer. Details of these events are set to follow soon. Rehearsals are taking place for new works being created by artists who are spending Time at the Well with residencies at the theatre.

Although the doors have remained closed, along with the residencies, the Hawk’s Well has kept the stage lights lit during the pandemic, with the venue hosting creative workshops, community projects, and becoming a broadcast studio for performance events.

In addition, the Hawk’s Well hosted 185 digital events that were watched by people in 45 countries.

Hawk’s Well’s first indoor gig for nine months €185,000 fund will enhance outdoor spaces

Sligo County Council will receive funding for short-term measures which will enhance outdoor urban space and improve walking and cycling facilities.

The measures are now being introduced as quickly as possible to support the gradual re-opening of society in a safe manner and include projects such as kerb widening to facilitate outdoor dining, new on-street furniture, improved cycling facilities and traffic management changes that prioritise pedestrians and cyclists.

The Additional Outdoor Infrastructure Fund is being administered by the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of an overall national funding programme from which Sligo has been allocated €184,950.

Sligo-Leitrim TD Frank Feighan has welcomed the extra funding.

Mr Feighan said this week: “The Additional Outdoor Infrastructure Fund enables measures such as cycling and walking infrastructure, the re-allocation of road and street space and traffic management arrangements. “These measures, combined with other government initiatives for outdoor dining and outdoor recreation infrastructure, will support Sligo County Council in re-creating open spaces and facilities which will both consider public health guidelines and allow communities to thrive once again.

“These projects will play an essential role in making that happen. Whether it’s choosing to walk or cycle on new infrastructure or meeting friends in a designated communal space, these new spaces will enable the public to travel and gather in a safe environment.”