Daingean set for dirty to dapper transformation

Equipment and elbow grease are needed in equal measures in Daingean this weekend. After mammoth efforts to get town buildings clean and ready to be painted this weekend is when the highly anticipated makeover is set to happen, under the gaze of cameras from RTE's "Dirty Old Towns". "We desperately need volunteers," secretary of Daingean Development Association and the initiator of this project Gillian Barratt said today (Thursday). The project that will give Daingean a facelift began when Gillian saw the spick and span Moneygall as it stood ready to greet its most famous son US President Barack Obama last May. "I was so envious of Moneygall," she said, adding that to her the two towns were like "chalk and cheese". After speaking to Offaly Heritage Officer Amanda Pedlow Gillian got in touch with Dulux, to see if she could convince them to get on board with Daingean as they had in Moneygall with a colour consultant and paint donation. She succeeded in getting the services of a colour consultant and fundraising, "substantial discounts" from Eden Decor and residents have added together to pay for the paint needed to give Daingean a new lease of life. "It's literally being done on a shoestring," Gillian said, "but it's a community effort and it's working". The project will see Daingean buildings repainted in subtle shades in keeping with its heritage town status. Further goodwill has been shown by Hire Depot and Tullamore Tool and Plant Hire, who have both donated cherry pickers to the project for the weekend. Waste company Oxigen has also donated a free skip for the project and the owner of Eden Decor is himself volunteering over the weekend as a painter. RTE cameras will arrive in Daingean tomorrow (Saturday) morning from 8am and will remain throughout the weekend. Volunteers are welcome to help with the project at any point over the weekend for any duration of time. The results of the makeover will be shown on "Dirty Old Towns" on April 4. Paint sprayers are still being sought for the weekend. Anyone who can help with that or who would like to help out with the projet can call Gillian on 087 7476589.