Inishbofin looks forward to protect past
There are high hopes that the island of Inishbofin could have a spacious new museum in 2021 – if a planning application is successful.
The existing museum on the island is no longer fit for purpose given the amount of artefacts, photographs and family histories that have been assembled over the years.
So local historian Marie Coyne has applied to Galway County Council to construct a museum that will also include a photographic exhibition room, restoration workshop along with a gift shop and coffee dock.
It is proposed that the new 3,400 square feet museum will be built on a site at the rear of Ms Coyne’s home at Middlequarter – and a decision on the application is due around the middle of February.
If planning is granted, it will result on a major fundraising campaign being embarked upon while pressure will also be applied for state funding to be provided for the project.
The applicant, Marie Coyne, currently runs the small gift shop and museum adjacent to the old pier on the island. The building that the applicant currently uses is in disrepair and prone to flooding.
She told The Connacht Tribune that the existing museum is no longer able to accommodate the number of artefacts that have been assembled over the years – and a new state-of-the-art facility is now required to properly reflect the history of the island.
See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, which is on sale earlier than usual, this Tuesday – or download your digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie