Future plans for Athenaeum are outlined at annual general meeting
The new Athenaeum Restoration Committee at the AGM in Bellefield GAA Complex. Front (from left): Treasurer Dervla Tierney, Secretary Bridie Morrissey and Chairman Michael White. Back: Maria Nolan, Brendan Redmond, Eileen Redmond, Paddy Byrne, Maura...
THE ANNUAL General Meeting of the Athenaeum Restoration Committee was held at Bellefield GAA Complex on Thursday 19th January 2012.
Former town councillor and Urban Council chairman Michael White is the new chairman of the Athenaeum restoration committee. He took over the position from long serving Tony Mcclean at last week's annual general meeting, which was staged at the Bellefield GAA complex.
The committee has secured a thirty year lease on the premises, supporters were told at the AGM last week. And the keys of the historic building in Castle Street, which dates back to 1892 are now securely in the possession of the committee since last April.
The meeting reviewed a successful fundraising campaign that included coffee mornings, table quiz, a golf classic, participation in 'celebrity wannabe', an evening of operetta, a craft fair and a poetry reading. Outgoing chairman Tony Mcclean thanked all those who have supported the effort.
He told the meeting that refurbishment plans drawn up by an architect have been put out to tender and he looked forward to work starting in earnest. Treasurer Dervla Tierney presented accounts which showed a healthy balance of €60,000 in the coffers.
However, full scale restoration will cost many times that amount and will require grant aid of some sort.
Athenaeum restoration committee, officers: treasurer, Michael White; secretary, Bridie Morrissey; treasurer, Dervla Tierney.
