Wicklow museum gets early 50th birthday present after securing 25-year lease
A treasure trove of all things Arklow, the beloved museum, which was recently renamed the Arklow Heritage Museum, was established in the old technical school on St Mary's Road in 1976 before moving into a unit at the Bridgewater in 2009 that Wicklow County Council later purchased.
Delighted to have secured the museum's future, museum stalwart and local historian Jim Rees said: 'It's great now we know exactly where we stand.'
'We have been pushing for this for a while, and although we always knew there was a written lease there, it's confirmed that we have a home for the next 25 years.
'It's not that there's any significant change, but just that everything's confirmed, and it's all legally proper, and we're safe.
'Our sincere thanks to all who have worked in securing this, especially Leonora Earls and Annalise Ryan of Wicklow County Council. A special mention must be made of the late Michael Allen and Cllr Pat Fitzgerald, who has been pushing for this for some years, and TD Brian Brennan, who helped get it over the line in recent months.
'It is like an early birthday present, considering the museum will be 50 years old next year, and we are making plans to celebrate that, along with the 200th anniversary of the Arklow Lifeboat Station,' he added.
'Now we can make more long-term plans in the knowledge that we have a home with a long-term future and that we're not having the celebration of 50 years one week and uncertainty the next!'
Tracing his support for the museum back to a time when Frank Curran was WCC chief executive, Cllr Fitzgerald commended everyone involved at the museum, as well as WCC and Arklow Municipal District staff for their 'fantastic work'.
'It's a busy spot down there, and now that they have the lease, I know the museum is in safe hands for the future,' he said.
'I must say, Wicklow County Council was very helpful and particularly Leonora Earls.
'I'm delighted with how the museum has progressed over the years, and it's good news for Arklow that they have that lease, because the museum is something very important and special for the town to have.'
Congratulating all involved in the museum securing the lease, TD Brennan said that it will 'allow them to continue to be an important part of our town'.
'I feel we need to keep working to encourage more projects such as the Arklow Museum, as they are essential to enhance tourism in Arklow,' he added.
'Credit needs to be given to the council officials, especially Leonora Earls and Alvina Brehony, and our local public representatives who have supported the Arklow Maritime Museum over the years.
'I have visited with my family on many occasions, and you cannot help but be impressed by the memorabilia on display and stories behind them that show Arklow's proud past.
'But for me, the committee members and those working for the future of the museum and their stories and tales are as much, if not more, important, and they deserve to be commended.'
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