Oughterard Courthouse Restoration Project Newsletter 2012

Over the past few editions of the Newsletter we have outlined the history of the Courthouse in Oughterard, the establishment of the Restoration Project and the progress being made along the road to its redevelopment.
The Restoration Project is committed to the redevelopment of the Courthouse to a functioning venue for the community through which Culture and Heritage will be promoted. It will incorporate a flexible space which can be used for display, exhibition, performance and education. The library service will be improved and expanded which will be of great benefit to the local community as well as the surrounding catchment area. A coffee dock is also be part of the plans. The restored Courthouse will be of benefit to all in the community and catchment areas. It will increase education, knowledge and pride in the local area.
It is hoped that the lease for the building will soon be secured at which time the application can be made to LEADER for funding relating to this “Flagship Community Project”. The total cost of the restoration of the Courthouse is estimated at approximately €700,000. To ensure that the Project is eligible for the maximum grant from LEADER of €500,000, a cash balance of at least €35,000 (5% of the total cost) has to be raised in advance.
To have a chance of converting the plans to reality, it is clear, then, that a significant amount of money has to be raised in a relatively short period of time. With that in mind a major fundraiser is being organised; The ever popular “Who wants to be a Thousandaire” event will be held on Saturday 24th November in the
Community Centre, Oughterard. Many of you will recall the very successful “Thousandaire” event that was held here a few years ago to raise funds for the national school. It is hoped that such a success can be reproduced this time round for the Courthouse Restoration. The support of the local community will make this a certainty. Please put the date in your diaries and with luck you could be the winner of the “Thousand” just in time for the run up to Christmas.
The Courthouse Project display including drawings and plans will continue at the Heritage Centre for the month of September. Please come and view it and stay in touch with progress.
HERITAGE WEEK
Heritage week ran from 18th-26th August. Unfortunately it wasn’t possible to open the Courthouse to the public for the events but activities were easily relocated to the Heritage Centre.
Many thanks to Kathleen Furey and Mary Clancy who, on Tuesday, put together a very interesting combined historical talk and artistic display relating to Clareville House in Oughterard.
On Thursday then, Paul Bradley, violin maker/repairer/teacher/enthusiast and player based in Rosscahill, arrived with numerous instruments at various stages of the manufacturing process together with tools of his trade. He talked through the history of violin making leading into the art of the actual design and production of the instrument followed by a few foot tapping tunes on the violin and the uilleann pipes. Even the children taking advantage of the arts & crafts activities at the time were enthralled by the music making.
The Heritage Centre remained open over Show weekend when the public were able to pop in to look over the local heritage exhibits and take in the slide show preview of the Show’s Golden Jubilee Celebration Book which has proved extremely popular.
A big thank you to everyone who took part in our Heritage Week events.