The members of Ballina Town Council took another step towards the opening of the Jackie Clarke Library in the town with the passing of a part eight report on the project put before them at their monthly meeting this week. The part eight report which was put out for public consideration last year saw one submission which came from three sons of Jackie Clarke received by the council in relation to the proposed project. Independent councillor Peter Clarke, who is also a son of Jackie Clarke, excused himself from discussion on the report saying: “It might be perceived that I have a conflict of interest in this matter, but I’d like to put it on the record that myself and my mother would hope that you do the right thing in relation to this.”
Town manager Paddy Mahon outlined the submission received on the report, which raised questions in relation to wireless technology being used in the building, architectural heritage, poor infrastructure, increased parking congestion, and the potential of a flood risk. The town manager then went through his reply to all the questions raised and concluded that none of them was a substantial reason to stop the project.
Fianna Fáil councillor Francis McAndrew proposed the adoption of the report. “This is a treasure for Ballina and the old provincial bank is the perfect location for it,” he said. “This will bring increased numbers of people to Ballina and will be a significant economic and historical boost to the town.” Independent councillor Gerry Ginty supported Cllr McAndrew. “I knew Jackie Clarke from when he was a young man and I was a child, I knew that he had started collecting these artefacts but I had no idea of the Aladdin’s cave of collections he had until it came to light,” Cllr Ginty said. “He loved this town and it was his wish that this collection would lead to the enhancement of this town.” Cllr Ginty went on to thank the councillors and the council officials for the work they had done to secure the provincial bank as a location for the collection.
There was full backing given to the project by all the councillors in the chamber, with Fine Gael councillor Barry McLoughlin saying that he hoped this collection would be the springboard to third level education in the town at some stage. However a number of councillors did agree on one part of the submission about potential parking problems in the town occurring. “We would welcome the parking challenge in the town as it would show how successful it had become,” town manager Paddy Mahon told the meeting. A number of councillors put forward the need for coach parking bays in town, to deal with the expected upsurge in numbers. Town engineer Michael O’Grady gave a commitment to look at solutions to this potential problem.
