Athlone Town Council is moving forward with its plans to provide Athlone with a contemporary gallery space.
This can be evidenced by the works taking place on Accommodation Road, along with the progress of the artists’ studio on Abbey Road which is nearing completion. The restoration works on Athlone Castle are scheduled to commence in the coming weeks.
The recent setting up of Athlone Art and Heritage to manage these facilities is an initiative of Athlone Town Council. Athlone Art and Heritage will be managed via a board of 12 members, which will include members of the local authority, educationalists, local businesses, and art practitioners.
Miriam Mulrennan was appointed to the post of manager of Athlone Art and Heritage Ltd earlier this month. Ms Mulrennan has taken up her position and is currently working from the Civic Centre offices in Athlone as work progresses on the gallery space where she will locate once it has opened in 2012.
Ms Mulrennan has a background in arts and media management, having spent the past six years working with one of Ireland’s largest television production companies Nemeton Television. There she set up a business unit to complement the company’s core activity of television production, by creating a unique training and education arm for the business. Prior to that, she held the position of manager with Screen Producers Ireland, the representative organisation and advocacy group for independent film and television producers in Ireland. Originally from Tulsk, County Roscommon, Ms Mulrennan has worked in London, Dublin, and most recently the An Rinn gaeltacht.
Speaking on the announcement of her position Ms Mulrennan said, “I am delighted to take up this position with Athlone Art and Heritage Ltd. The company’s custodianship of important artistic and heritage facilities such as Athlone Castle, the artists’ studios, the art gallery - these all represent a huge responsibility and one which I am honoured to have a role within. I see my job very much as one of engagement and to a large degree - commerce. Doors will open very soon, starting with the Abbey Road artists’ studios next month, and what we need to do now is ensure these spaces are occupied, utilised, and ultimately contribute to the fabric of life, both artistic and social in Athlone. I am under no illusion as to the challenges that face us in managing and growing activity in these areas. So let’s be getting on with it - space is the fundamental requirement of artistic practice and of community engagement with art. So, not surprisingly, we start there.”
