Castlebar councillors debate funding of Linenhall Arts Centre

Castlebar councillors debated the funding of the town's Linenhall Arts Centre at their municipal district (MD) meeting this week.

Councillor Martin McLoughlin brought up the topic of the art centre's funding, saying he did not realise the organisation were in such ‘dire straits’.

“When I read that they’re facing an uncertain future, I realised how serious this was,” he said. 

Cllr Cyril Burke supported the Fianna Fáil councillor, and said the Linenhall provides a ‘great outlet’ to those in the arts sector. 

“It also provides for people that are retired, they go in there for their teas and coffees. It's a great facility for the town to have,” he added. 

Cllr Burke explained an agreement was made by the MD at the beginning of their term, for each councillor to give €5,000 to €6,000 of their GMA funding per year to the hall. He said the amount being given is dropping.  

Cllr Michael Kilcoyne seconded this, and said everyone ‘must commit to it’.

Alternatively, Cllr Blackie Gavin commented that there are an ‘awful lot of organisations’ that need funding, not just the Linenhall. 

Cllr Gavin said the MD ‘weren’t afraid’ to bring in the town’s pay and display parking to collect from in order to fund capital projects, but nothing has happened since. 

“This local authority is starved with capital projects, there's nothing happening,” he said. 

The Fianna Fáil councillor, who was first elected in 1991, named the current Castlebar MD as ‘the worst’ he has sat on. He said they are ‘crying out’ for facilities, but haven't got the funds.

“This municipal district is starved, and we have an area now as big as county Louth that we cannot serve financially,” he concluded.

Cllr Donna Sheridan supported Cllr Gavin, and acknowledged that the council does not own the Linenhall building. 

“Is there any other building across the county that we’re doing work on that we don't own?” she questioned.

The Fine Gael councillor said it was not ‘fair’ that one tenth of the district's money is expected to fund one organisation. 

“I have supported them and given huge contributions, and I have been met with letters that said they were very disappointed with my allocation,” she added.

Cllr Sheridan questioned the Linenhall’s balance sheets, and wondered if any other community group funded by the district had as much money as Linenhall ‘in their bank account’.

“While I agree and have supported the Linenhall every year since I was elected, we have to get real on what we can and can't spend. 

“We have to support and keep the lights on in all our small community centres,” concluded Cllr Sheridan.