Manager calls for support for 'flagship' Belmullet building

The manager of Aras Inis Gluaire has said that the Belmullet-based arts centre needs financial support to undergo repairs to its boiler system.

Ian McAndrew told last week’s meeting of the Westport-Belmullet Municipal District that they have been running very smoothly for over 20 years but they need funding to repair a broken boiler system.

Ara Inis Gluiare comprises a 170-seat auditorium, local radio station and an exhibition space and the building is also home to the Belmullet library, motor tax office and local district court.

“This is our town’s flagship building and a capital injection is needed after 20 years. It is going to cost us €22,000 for a new boiler system to replace the old one,” he said.

He said they also need funding to implement green measures to make the building more environmentally friendly, such as replacing existing lighting with LEDs.

Mr McAndrew urged councillors to do whatever they could to support Aras Inis Gluaire, particularly coming into 2024 when Belmullet celebrates its bicentenary.

He added that Belmullet is a town that has been hit hard by pyrite and a scheme should be considered to make the upstairs of buildings on the town’s Main Street fit for residential purposes.