An Taibhdhearc Theatre, which has been closed following being damaged by fire in 2007, looks set to be in a position to re-open by next year.
The Minister of State at the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, Dinny McGinley, has announced that the Government is to provide funding of €300,000 towards the repair and renovation of the theatre.
The cost to repair An Taibhdhearc is €900,000 and the Government grant now allows the Taibhdhearc board to undertake the work. It is understood that the board has €300,000 which it has raised itself and the Galway City Council has pledged to provide €300,000 - in instalments of €50,000 over a six year period - provided there is matching Government funding.
Work on the theatre is expected to start in the autumn.
The news has been welcomed by Fine Gael Galway West TD Brian Walsh, who called on the Government to provide the funds to the State’s Irish language theatre in his maiden speech to Dáil Éireann.
“I welcome the decision,” Dep Walsh told the Galway Advertiser. “This is good news for An Taibhdhearc and for Galway and a compliment to the board of An Taibhdhearc who do their work on a voluntary basis.”
