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Commemorative Events

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 November 2015

Thursday, 12 November 2015

Ceisteanna (7)

Catherine Byrne

Ceist:

7. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the commemorative projects at Richmond Barracks and Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin 8, which are being carried out as part of the Ireland 2016 centenary programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39496/15]

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Freagraí ó Béal (4 píosaí cainte)

I thank the Minister for her statement this morning. I want her to know how excited people living in Inchicore and the wider area are that Richmond Barracks has been picked as one of the main projects in the national programme for 1916. I want to highlight the belief people have that this will become a huge part of the cultural events in the area around Kilmainham Gaol, the courthouse and the wider area in general.

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue again. The Government is supporting eight flagship capital projects for the 1916 centenary year. These will create a lasting legacy of 1916 and will be of huge interest to members of the public. Dublin City Council is overseeing the Richmond Barracks project. It is anticipated that a six-month programme of works will lead to completion of the project in April 2016. The project will see the restoration of specific parts of Richmond Barracks, particularly the building where the 1916 leaders were interned and court-martialled, and the creation of an exhibition and interpretive space and will be a great amenity for the public and for the local community. The contract for the interpretive element has been placed and works are all on schedule for official opening on 2 May 2016. Richmond Barracks is also working with the cemeteries commission to reopen Goldenbridge cemetery and to create a walkway linked with Richmond Barracks.

Kilmainham Gaol is a national monument site in the care of the Office of Public Works and is one of the most popular and heavily visited tourist sites in Ireland. The work on the courthouse is on schedule for completion early in 2016 and it is expected that the building will be opened formally on 30 March. This project will provide an enriched visitor experience and enhanced display of many original artefacts.

I thank the Minister. Work has begun and, just last week, we had an extraordinary day in which people were invited to come to the parish hall with memorabilia to help identify people who had lived in the area when it was Richmond Barracks, Keogh Square and St. Michael's estate. Things are starting to move very fast. Although it probably does not concern her Department directly, I ask the Minister to consider the needs of the whole precinct outside Richmond Barracks, particularly the streetscape, footpaths and lighting. It would be good if something could be done through the Government to enhance these, given that we expect thousands of visitors next year. Given that so much dedication, time, effort and funding has been put into Richmond Barracks, for the opening day there should be a proper streetscape, lighting and footpaths in the precinct to enhance the area even more.

I want to stress how important this project is for people living in the Inchicore area and the wider community. We are grateful it was chosen as one of the main flagship projects for 1916. I want to extend my thanks to the Minister, to whom we have spoken on numerous occasions when she has visited the site, the graveyard and the courthouse. I want to extend to her the appreciation of all in the area.

To be fair, this is a great project with three different stakeholders: the community, Dublin City council and the Government. Great work has been done by the community and the committee, of which Deputy Byrne and other Deputies are members. That great community engagement and buy-in is what makes this project so successful. I was at the opening day, which was a powerful event. What is important about Richmond Barracks is that there are two sides to its history, in that the 1916 leaders were brought there for court-martial while, at the same time, young Irishmen were enlisting to fight in the First World War. It brings it all together and, as we go through the decade of centenaries, it shows how one event impacted on the other, given that they were both in the one building at the one time.

It is a great project. I take the Deputy's point about the streetscape and lighting. There is a steering committee in place and when Dublin City Council, the Department and the committee meet again, this is an issue that can be discussed. All in all, it is a good news story, and the better news is that it will be finished on time.

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