ONE OF Ireland’s leading heritage centres is likely to close at the end of the month as a result of financial cutbacks
The possible closure of Kells Heritage Centre coincides with the ending of National Heritage Week, which begins on Saturday.
Mayor of Kells Brian Curran is today planning to put forward a proposal to bring forward an emergency meeting of Kells Town Council to discuss the centre’s future.
A suggestion by Fianna Fáil councillor Seán Drew to close the centre last year was rejected. However, with the town council facing a shortfall of more than €50,000 due to falling commercial rates following the shutting down of a number of local shops, opposition to the centre’s closure has lessened.
Earlier this year the centre, which has been running at a loss for a number of years, was shut for a short period due to budgetary constraints, but it subsequently reopened in April.
Among the artefacts at the centre, which attracts an estimated 30,000 visitors a year, is a highly regarded copy of the Book of Kells manuscript, the original of which is kept at Trinity College Dublin.
Three years ago conservation experts advised the town council that urgent structural repairs amounting to more than €1 million were needed on the listed building in which the centre is located.
Mr Curran confirmed to The Irish Timesthat the council was considering the centre's future.
“Over the course of the last 10 years, the heritage centre has serviced the people of Kells with numerous exhibitions and social occasions but it hasn’t served the purpose for which it was set up, which is to promote tourism and bring extra footfall into the town,” Mr Curran said.
“The future of the centre at the moment is in doubt. We can’t definitely say it is going to close over the long term but major investment is needed.”
Amelia O’Riley, manager of the heritage centre, admitted that staff were unsure if it would reopen but said that its possible closure would represent a major loss to the town.
“Without the centre, there is no place to welcome visitors. It is the focal point for them and is also a hugely important place for local artists, many of whom display their work there and for the rest of the community,” said Ms O’Riley.
Labour Party Senator for Meath Dominic Hannigan described the threatened closure of the centre as “a national disgrace”.
“Kells is a byword for Ireland’s ancient heritage. For many foreign tourists, the Book of Kells is one of the few things they know about Ireland. The centre has on display one of the finest reproduction of the book anywhere in the world but shortly, when visitors come to the town, there will be no one to explain its history or the many other attractions in and round the area.
“The centre only opened from April because of cutbacks but closing it indefinitely while the tourist season is in full swing is a sign of how low this country has sunk,” Mr Hannigan added.
