Huge energy bills may knock off the lights on Michael Davitt Museum

THE electricity costs for the Michael Davitt Museum in Straide rose by nearly 300 percent in the last year which is putting the future of the museum at risk.

The real prospect of the museum having to close its doors for the second time in its history was outlined to councillors at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council. Yvonne Corcoran-Loftus, the curator of the museum explained that the museum suffered a €26,000 deficit in 2022 and this year the electricity bill is larger than the whole of 2022.

Ms Corcoran-Loftus said that in 2022 the energy bill for the museum was €4,631 while the bill for the first six months of this year was €6,482.

The museum largely relies on GMA funding allocated by local councillors to remain operational but Ms Corcoran-Loftus said that they need more funding to secure its future. Last year they received €15,200 in GMA funding but the year before they received €8,950 and this year they have been allocated €2,200 from three councillors.

She said that admissions alone for this year was covering the energy costs and without regular funding the museum will not be viable.

“Without GMA funding survival would be extremely challenging for us,” she said. “Dedicated funding would ensure the museums sustainability, bills would be paid when they are due and the doors would remain open. This would allow us to grow the museum as a first grade tourism facility and ensure the collection is cared for to the required standard. Extra funding would allow us to explore more ambitious projects and reach new markets. What is important is that funding is found in the council budget to ensure our work can continue. By promoting Michael Davitt and what he stood for will also benefit this great county and its people,” she said.

The museum first opened in 1984 but closed in 2012 due to financial concerns before opening again in 2013.

There was support from the councillors in ensuring that the museum remains open but some councillors said that the funding should come from national bodies and not the council.

Cllr Gerry Coyle proposed that each councillor give €2,000 of their GMA fund which would guarantee €60,000 in funding but this was criticised by some councillors as not being practical.

Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Michael Loftus asked Ms Corcoran-Loftus to give the council a figure of what they may need and the councillors will see how they can support the museum in the next year's council budget.