Lifestyle – Portumna’s thriving arts and cultural scene has been given a boost with plans to transform the former courthouse into an arts space that will also have a remote working hub and café. DECLAN TIERNEY hears how the Victorian building is being repurposed to meet current needs.

A 175-year-old building in Portumna will be given a new lease of life when it will be transformed into arts and exhibition space and become a new focal point in the town.

The complete transformation of the interior of the old Portumna Courthouse, which is a listed building, has been hailed as ‘a shot in the arm’ for the arts in the South East Galway region.

Funding for the total revamp of the Victorian building is in place and hopes are high that works on the exciting €2.5 million project will commence early next year.

The transformation of courthouse, which will also involve the provision of a remote working hub, café and outdoor social space, is a joint initiative between the Department of Community and Rural Development and Galway County Council.

It wasn’t surprising that there was an air of anticipation when Minister Heather Humphreys visited the courthouse last week, where she was shown several maps and artist’s impressions of what is being planned as part of the new development.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development described it as a flagship regeneration project that would restore this iconic building into a multi-purpose centre for the community. The funding was provided under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.

The imposing building, which ceased to be a functioning courthouse around two decades ago, will also facilitate performing groups when the revamp is completed, given the considerable space that is available within the property.

Local poet and arts organiser Noelle Lynskey believes that the whole initiative will enhance the town and will provide a valuable outlet for arts groups as well as for visual artists who want a place to exhibit their creations.

Noelle is Director of the Shorelines Arts Festival in Portumna and is a founding member of the Maple Poetry Group and Portumna Pen Pushers, as well as the Ballinasloe Peers.

“It is a building that badly needs restoration having been closed up for so long but when it benefits the whole community, it is an added bonus,” she said of the refurbishment.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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