THE WESTERN Writers’ Centre has received a gift of some 400 books by eminent European authors, complete with display furniture, but it has nowhere to house the collection.
The bequest is one of the biggest, in literary terms, ever gifted to a writers’ centre. It was hoped that the library bequest would be housed in such a manner as to leave the books open for public viewing under controlled conditions. However the books are still in Dublin as there is nowhere to house them in Galway.
The Western Writer’s Centre director, writer Fred Johnston, said the collection would be “of immense value” to Galway city.
He said there is support among city councillors for the development of the centre and finding “utilitarian premises” for the centre. The proposed centre would include a commemorative space for Galway’s literary heritage, an office, and a reading’s room open which would be open to all.
Mr Johnston said he is “anxious to hear from anyone” interested in supplying the centre with a “decent overall premises” or at least “a home for the books”.
Those with ideas for housing the collection and display cabinets, including rostrum, should contact the Western Writers’ Centre at [email protected]r or 087 - 2178138.
