Macnas’ move to new premises in Westside is not just a boost for the company, it is also a boost for the youth of the area as it will get them interested in and working with one of the leading arts organisations in Ireland.
This is the view of Labour Cllr Billy Cameron, who has been pushing for the city’s most successful artistic company to make the move to the Westside - a move which has taken a step closer to reality, following a decision at Monday’s city council meeting.
Macnas has been operating from the former Hunter’s Factory, now owned by NUI, Galway and in temporary marquees in the Fisheries Field. Although it has produced spectacular work from these locations, there is little doubt the company requires larger premises.
“Macnas are firmly rooted in Fisheries Field in a workshop generously supplied to by NUIG for over 20 years,” said general manager John Ashton, “but we face extreme difficulties when preparing for larger scale events or when working on more than one event at a time.”
At Monday’s meeting, councillors voted to allow a proposal by Macnas, to build much needed new workshops in the Westside of the city, to go forward for planning permission.
Macnas is “delighted” with the decision which it says will help the company expand its production base and serve to support the arts sector in the city.
“We are very excited about the potential of this additional workshop space,” said Mr Ashton. “It will cater for the much needed expansion of our production base. I can’t emphasise how important this development is to the future of Macnas and indeed to the many artists and arts organisations that rely on us for support.”
The proposal will be further debated in City Hall in the New Year once the planning office come back to councillors with further recommendations.
Cllr Cameron is also delighted by the decision and feels it will provide an important new outlet for the youth of the Westside which will encourage them to become interested in the arts.
“For Macnas it will mean a new workshop instead of the decrepit old building they currently have to work out of,” he said. “For the youth in Westside it is a huge bonus. We have plans for proposals by Fianna Fáil Cllr John Connolly that the Westside Youth Federation liaise with Macnas and so that link will be made and working before Macnas even arrive on the new site.”
However Cllr Cameron was critical of some councillors, saying their actions on Monday could have jeopardised the move.
“The issue was clouded because of the Draft Traveller Accommodation Plan which pinpointed seven sites for traveller accommodation in the city,” he said. “Certain councillors from the Galway City West ward tried to bring in elements of the Traveller Accommodation Plan and nearly scuppered the approval for Macnas. That was despicable, underhand, and pure parish pump politics.”
The move for Macnas has been welcomed by Independent Galway City Central candidate Mike Cubbard.
“As a resident of Camillaun Park in Westside, we will certainly be lifted if Macnus become a part of our community,” he said. “There are many young adults and children in the area who may not have other interests such as sports but may have an artistic interest. It’s a win win situation and one I would welcome to Westside.”
