The seven O'Hara carriages and associated tack were gifted to the State in 1952 by Mr. Donal O'Hara, Annaghmore Estate. They remained at Annaghmore until 1963 when they were transferred to Dublin. They are currently in storage in the National Museum facility at Inchicore.
The O'Hara's recall that when the carriages left Annaghmore they were in pristine condition. The condition of the carriages, which have been in storage for the intervening 48 years, has deteriorated considerably and they are in serious need of conservation. A museum would be expected to maintain, if not improve, the condition of items in its care.
Since 1998, the Ballymote Community Enterprise Company has worked with FÁS and other State agencies on the development of a transport museum concept in County Sligo with the O'Hara carriages as a centrepiece. In 1998, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, who turned the sod in the theme park, granted permission to lend the carriages to the Ballymote enterprise company for display, subject to its building and maintaining a museum to acceptable and professional standards of display, security and staffing as stipulated by the National Museum.
Ballymote Community Enterprise Company is committed to building a modern professional museum in Ballymote and is in a position to pledge £300,000 – 10% – towards the total cost of the project. A business plan has been completed, architectural plans have been drawn up and a funding package is currently being compiled. It is envisaged that the museum will open in 2003 but it cannot do so if the O'Hara carriages are not in suitable condition for display.
The museum will portray the history of the O'Hara carriages and transport in general in County Sligo during the period of the carriages' use with particular reference to the social, cultural and economic climate of the day. The seven horse-drawn carriages include three covered vehicles – two large private coaches and a brougham, a convertible landau, a sleigh, an open phaeton and a wagonette. It appears that most of these luxury vehicles were built throughout the second half of the 19th century for successive O'Haras of Annaghmore.
The transport museum will be located in Ballymote town park, a picturesque 15 acre park in which the ruins of Ballymote Castle are located. Ballymote dates its foundation from the building of this castle by Richard de Burgo, the Red Earl of Ulster, in 1300. The company's primary interest and objective in the transport museum concept is the promotion of the environmental, educational, cultural and economic welfare of the Ballymote community, particularly with a view to the creation of much needed employment in the area. The creation of a contemporary transport museum in County Sligo would serve an educational, entertainment and research function for the county and beyond.
The core museum functions of presentation, interpretation, research and collection will be supported by a commercial function, including a cafe, shop, the construction and restoration of horse-drawn carriages, a model train, carriage rides and carriage driving facilities. It is hoped the museum will open within budget by Easter 2003. The museum, which will appeal to all market sectors through careful marketing and customer care services, will be businesslike and fiscally responsible. It will provide a meaningful visitor experience via the transport theme which will address issues of identity. The museum will brand Ballymote as the carriage capital of Ireland and County Sligo as the carriage county. It will serve as a centre of excellence for Irish carriage building and research. I look forward to hearing what funding may be provided to conserve these carriages which tell a wonderful story.
