OPINION: A blueprint for Columb Barracks, Mullingar
Bernie Comaskey (bernie.comaskey@gmail.com)
mullingarbarracksblueprint@gmail.com
When John Mullane, his voice choking with emotion, famously proclaimed, ‘I loves me county’, his words resonated with every Irish person who ‘owns’ a county. We all have an unbreakable bond with our home place.
In every county there are people with exceptional gifts or commitment who demonstrate how much they love their county by giving something back. The most practical expression of love of one’s county often comes through entrepreneurship or as a philanthropist. Other ‘county patriots’ come up with a good idea to help their county – and this man (‘man’ includes ‘woman’) is no less important than any of the above.
Sometimes an opportunity or idea is just too big for one man; but the seed is almost always sown by one man. Here is one such proposal – which will require a few good men to jump on board. Remember, ‘the opportunity of a lifetime must be grasped during the lifetime of the opportunity’.
The seed of this idea to show how much, ‘I loves me county’, was planted by a man I met in Kerry last week. Then it was germinated when I bumped into a businessman friend in Mullingar the following day.
I was introduced to a publican in Kerry, who asked me where I was from. I just knew that his response to ‘Mullingar’ would be either, ‘Ah Joe Dolan’, or, ‘I used to drive through Mullingar on my way to…’ I was close enough, but here was the Kerryman’s response: ‘Ah, Joe Dolan country; Mullingar is a great town for music.’
Mullingar is known as ‘a great town for music’ – and so it is!
As well as Joe Dolan and the Dolans, we have the Swarbriggs, Niall Horan, Foster and Allen, Bressie, The Academic, Ailish Tynan – just to mention a few – and wasn’t Count John McCormack a Westmeath man? I am not well up in current Mullingar pop bands – but I know they are ‘booming’ as always.
Remember, “This Town” is Niall Horan’s town! Hold that thought…
This thought was fresh in my mind when I met my Mullingar friend. The talk turned to the army barracks and before I knew it, two hours had passed, such was the enthusiasm generated by our exchange of ideas on what could be done with the barracks.
OUR BARRACKS CAN BE SAVED
Not only saved, but turned into a primary concert centre. The ideal site to promote culture, arts and crafts, honour its military legacy – and rejuvenate Mullingar as the true music capital of Ireland. Mullingar would be transformed from a town people ‘passed through’, to the venue everybody wants to go to. I know what the Squash Club and the ‘Mullingar Squash Open’ used bring to the town – but that would pale like a drop in the ocean in comparison to what would happen if the barracks was developed into a world-class concert venue and holiday and activity centre.
Willie Penrose spoke recently of how much an all-Ireland Fleadh would bring to the town and county – up to €40m. Just think what it would be like if we could bring in the equivalent of several fleadhs every year? I was in Ennis for this year’s fleadh, on my way back from a funeral in Clare. I was gobsmacked by everything about it. Mullingar brought the country its first fleadh. Let the barracks be its permanent home?
Remember, nowhere is far from Mullingar: however, the uniqueness of the centre would be that it could incorporate accommodation for patrons.
All of the best of such ideas came from my friend – who has a proven record of getting some things right by way of developments.
If this idea were to get off the ground, it would need to have all the key agencies on board: local and national government would have to support it. Westmeath County Council, The Defence Forces, The Enterprise Board, Tourist Board, Ireland’s top concert promoters, and local politicians would need to be enthusiastically involved. Organisations and individuals who ‘loves me county’… and country!
The Barracks Square would boast a seasonal marquee (like the marquee in Cork). On the ground floor, facing the square, there would be coffee shops, restaurants, bars, gift-shops, art and music shops and other small shops, such as bodhrán making and selling.
Overhead, accommodation would be available for several hundred concert attendees or for those wishing to avail, not only of the new facility, but to of the pleasures of Mullingar and the rest of the county. This would be a village – a music and arts village.
The military history of Mullingar, a garrison town, would be honoured with a military museum. The memory of the heroes of Jadotville and the wide and varied legacy of Mullingar military would find a fitting home. I’m sure that the veterans would give informative tours. The role Declan Power’s mighty book played in highlighting the Jadotville scandal could be suitably noted.
There could be a Joe Dolan Museum. Imagine how many visitors would come for that alone. A separate Westmeath music museum; a GAA and Westmeath sports museum, a writers museum, folk museum and much more.
Naturally, the music and arts village would incorporate a recording studio. I see trade exhibitions, conferences, meetings, and maybe even a couple of squash courts!
The church on the grounds might host gospel music festivals. Gospel is a growing phenomenon worldwide.
This development would be a boost for rail travel to and from Mullingar and a specific identity for the town and county. No other business, hotel or music venue would be threatened; in fact all would benefit from this plan.
Most importantly, think of the year-round employment that would be created. Local jobs for local people. All paying taxes and putting their money back into the economy.
The problem of what to do with the barracks would be solved for all vested interests, and if every shoulder was put to the wheel, this seed could be grown to full fruition. There is no place for the ‘it would never work’ or the ‘ah yea, but what about’ brigades on this trip.
Or alternatively, we can squabble and whinge while the once proud old barracks crumbles and disintegrates. Or maybe in a few years, we will all be wondering why ‘nobody did anything about it’, or ‘how come an American vulture fund or the Russian mafia were allowed to buy it for a song?’
Which is it going to be? If you think this idea is worth fighting for – and if you can help; contact us at mullingarbarracksblueprint@gmail.com.