Arts centre will be a 'jewel in Tullamore's crown'

The long awaited arts centre will be a “jewel in Tullamore's crown” and a facility “ for everyone not just the elite” when it opens later this year.

That's according to the Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council Declan Harvey, who was one of a number of board members who got a tour of the arts centre last week and was informed that the construction phase of the multi-million euro project should be completed by July.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent, Cllr Harvey said he and the other committee members were “taken aback by the sheer scale” of the arts centre, which is located on the site of the old Kilroy's store on High Street.

“From the front door on High Street, it goes right back to the walls of the Dunnes Store yard behind it. I couldn't believe the size of it; the scale of it, the height of it, the amount of space that's in it”.

“It's going to be huge for the town. I always considered the Town Park as a jewel in Tullamore's crown, the arts centre will be another jewel.”

Cllr Harvey says that when the arts centre is up and running it will be a community arts centre in the purest sense.

“Tullamore Arts Centre was built through a financial crisis and a pandemic. Brian Cowen ring fenced €2m for 12 years ago, which gave us a good start. The council then gave us a loan of €2.5m, the old committee of which I am a member of promised to raise €500,000, which we will.

“This is an arts centre for everybody, not just for the elite, but for everyone in Offaly and the country. I am really excited about,” he told the Offaly Independent.

It is hoped the centre will open later this year.