Landmark in Trim to remain a venue for major public events
The Independent councillor has since received a response from the council, clarifying the status of upcoming events and the role of the Office of Public Works (OPW), which oversees the site.
In the Council Area Manager's response to Cllr French, they said: "I was in contact with senior management in the OPW regarding the concerns raised about the use of the Porchfields for public events and shows.'
'Assistance is being provided by the OPW to the Royal Meath Show to ensure that their event proceeds in the Porchfields in September as has been the tradition for many years.'
'Puca Festival will be taking place in the Porchfields at Halloween.'
'Unfortunately, the Scurlogstown Haymaking Festival was cancelled earlier in the Summer due to inclement weather, but it is anticipated that it will proceed again in the Porchfields next year.'
However, the King John's Summer Prom, a new event initially planned for the Porchfields, will now take place at a different location.
'The King John's Summer Prom at short notice had not finalised arrangements for the use of the Porchfields and regrettably it is being moved to another location this year. Hopefully, it will be a successful first event and can be held in the Porchfields in future years.'
'The council will liaise closely with the OPW to ensure licencing arrangements are in place in good time for the use of the Porchfields for future public events and shows to ensure continued benefit to businesses and tourism in the town centre and the council will assist community and voluntary groups in this regard where possible.'
Meanwhile, Cllr French — who has long been involved in several of the events — said on a post on social media: 'I did raise this privately and did express my deep concern but then had to do it publicly.'
"These events are important. I was previously director of the Royal Meath Show, on the committee of the haymaking, and also a helper with the King John's Prom,' he added.
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At the recent Trim Municipal District meeting, Councillor Noel French highlighted the 'difficulties' community groups are facing in hosting events in the Porchfields, and the 'hoops' they are being made to jump through. The Independent councillor has since received a response from the council, clarifying the status of upcoming events and the role of the Office of Public Works (OPW), which oversees the site. In the Council Area Manager's response to Cllr French, they said: "I was in contact with senior management in the OPW regarding the concerns raised about the use of the Porchfields for public events and shows.' 'Assistance is being provided by the OPW to the Royal Meath Show to ensure that their event proceeds in the Porchfields in September as has been the tradition for many years.' 'Puca Festival will be taking place in the Porchfields at Halloween.' 'Unfortunately, the Scurlogstown Haymaking Festival was cancelled earlier in the Summer due to inclement weather, but it is anticipated that it will proceed again in the Porchfields next year.' However, the King John's Summer Prom, a new event initially planned for the Porchfields, will now take place at a different location. 'The King John's Summer Prom at short notice had not finalised arrangements for the use of the Porchfields and regrettably it is being moved to another location this year. Hopefully, it will be a successful first event and can be held in the Porchfields in future years.' 'The council will liaise closely with the OPW to ensure licencing arrangements are in place in good time for the use of the Porchfields for future public events and shows to ensure continued benefit to businesses and tourism in the town centre and the council will assist community and voluntary groups in this regard where possible.' Meanwhile, Cllr French — who has long been involved in several of the events — said on a post on social media: 'I did raise this privately and did express my deep concern but then had to do it publicly.' "These events are important. I was previously director of the Royal Meath Show, on the committee of the haymaking, and also a helper with the King John's Prom,' he added.
