TIDY TOWN SEEKS TOURISM SUPPORT
SLIGO TIDY TOWNS IN APPEAL TO THE TOURISM SECTOR FOR SUPPORT
SLIGO Tidy Towns has appealed to the Tourism Sector for support this year.
Chairman Peter Tiernan made the appeal in his address at the launch of their Historic Plaques Walk and Information brochure last Wednesday 2nd May.
“Next to the people of Sligo, Tourism and Hospitality are the main beneficiaries of Sligo Tidy Towns,” he told guests at the launch in the Glasshouse Hotel.
“Of course visitor numbers leads to increased business for everyone. We therefore would welcome any support at all from the Tourism sector in Sligo. We did not receive any so far,” he said.
The completion of the plaques erected at historical points around the town al- lowed for the information brochure to be launched. Among those to have plaques erected in their memory are Dracula author Bram Stoker’s mother Charlotte Matilda Blake Thornley at Old Market Street, next to the courthouse.
Other Sligo figures on the plaques include 19 th century Alderman Bernard Colleary and 1916 volunteer William Partridge who fought alongside Countess Markievicz in the GPO.
There are 20 plaques in all, funded by Sligo Tidy Towns and the brochure is available in Sligo Tourism Office.
“The walking tour includes twenty sites of historical interest and will provide an informative walk for tourists and locals alike,” said Peter Tiernan.
Sligo Tidy Towns has applied for grant aid to Leader Sligo to re-instate to original condition the 150 year old gates and railings at Sligo Old Cemetery at the top of Pearse Road.
Separately, they’ve received a grant approval for funding from the Heritage Council to carry out a professional survey and recording of the Cemetery graves.
“There are many well known people buried there, and the Cemtery has been describ3ed as the “Glasnevin of Sligo” said Peter Tiernan.
Sligo Tidy Towns will then place on display a map of the graveyard to be agreed with Sligo County Council.
“Sligo old Cemetery is a very sensitive area of protection and we are working with Sligo County Council staff every step of the way,” he said.
“We can only start to exploit the potential of the cemetery when the gates are re-instated for health and safety reasons.
“So witout the leader funding nothing else can happen there,” said Peter.
Sligo Tidy Towns is also planning to erect a piece of artistic public art (not a statue) at a place yet to be decided. “We have the tentative agreement of Sligo County Council for this project but unfortunately we don’t have the money so far, but we haven’t given up yet,” he said.
Two further additions to the Yeats Trail plaques will be erected on Wine Street in the coming weeks. The Maud Gonne mural at Lidl is being replaced near Decorplan and a further sculpture piece is to be unveiled shortley at the old Clarence Hotel.