Plans for redevelopment of the old Town Hall building on Mallow’s Main Street were revealed at a meeting of the Kanturk-Mallow Municipal District last Friday. The Town Hall building is to be redeveloped into a theatre, as has long been anticipated by local community groups. Although the plans are still at a draft stage, it is expected that they will be put out to public consultation as a Part 8 planning application in the next few weeks.
Speaking at Friday’s meeting, Cllr. Gearóid Murphy said that there was huge interest in the performing arts in the North Cork area. “Mallow Arts Festival has gone from strength to strength since it was founded a number of years ago and the new theatre will be a wonderful facility for that and other events when it is completed,” he said. “The designs look really good and it will help to open up the Main Street of Mallow and make the town more accessible to visitors.”
Cllr. Murphy also wel-comed as an “excellent idea” the comment by Cork Co. Council Senior Executive Officer Mary Hayes that the redevelop-ment of the Town Hall could unlock the potential of the ruins of the old St. Anne’s Church as a tourist attraction. Asked whether funding had been sourced, Mary Hayes said that, although money had been approved for the design budget, the construction budget was still under review by council management. She stressed, though, that Cork County Council is committed to the project. Subject to funding, it is hoped that the tendering stage could be reached early next year.