Theatre Plan – A Dream Come True

The great “Theatre for Sligo” dream is about to become a reality, thanks to the Donegal-Leitrim-Sligo Tourism Organisation who this week announced plans for a major drama centre at Temple Street, Sligo. Making the announcement at the AGM of the Donegal-Leitrim-Sligo Tourism Organisation on Monday Chairman, Mr. Seán O’ Connell said the board had taken a decision to build a new tourism centre in Sligo and negotiations on the acquisition of a site at Temple Street had now been concluded. “The centre is being designed primarily to meet the needs of the visitor and it is intended also to develop an auditorium for theatrical productions principally involving the Sligo Drama Circle”, Mr. O’ Connell explained. He added that the auditorium would also be suitable for conferences, workshops and exhibitions. The Chairman revealed that the project would be initiated in 1979 and that an allocation had been made available by Bord Fáilte towards the cost of the project in the current year.

“It is estimated that the centre will be operational by summer 1980, and we are confident that the desired level of funding will be raised to complete the project to the standards required”, said Mr. O’ Connell. Yesterday, a delighted Mr. Liam Mc Kinney, Chairman of Sligo Drama Circle, said his group were extremely pleased to be part of this major breakthrough for Sligo. “This city has a long and rich tradition of theatre that is nationally and internationally respected. In order that this reputation be maintained and enhanced in modern times, a proper home for theatrical activity had become an evident necessity”, he said. “We are deeply conscious that we are the inheritors of this facility and many other riches toiled for by great people and groups in the past in Sligo. Many people have to be thanked and the best way we can do that is by presenting theatre entertainment to the highest quality in the new centre”, Mr. Mc Kinney added.

The new centre will, we understand, be fully equipped with up to 300 seats and will be similar in size to the Lyric Theatre in Belfast. The Tourist Board’s announcement brings to an end a ten year struggle by Sligo Drama Circle for a local theatre. Over the last decade the local drama group had campaigned vigorously for a theatre, and although no money had been collected many pledges were given during that time.

from The Sligo Champion, May 4th, 1979