Newbridge group wants proceeds of sale of O Modhráin Hall to stay in local community

Campaigners calling on the Charities Regulator not to give the sale proceeds from the O’Modhráin Hall to Conradh na Gaeilge claim they have identified a problem with the restricted fund earmarked to receive the money.

Activist Orla O’Neill, who has worked on this campaign since the Hall was put up for sale by trustees in 2017 said the rules for the Liam Bulfin Fund described on Conradh na Gaeilge’s website are not the same as those outlined in the Charities Regulator’s public notice.

Ms O'Neill said: “Conradh publishes its annual reports on its website and the criteria for the Liam Bulfin fund are detailed there, along with activities of the fund over the past few years.  They write about seed funding for loans and internal loans for Conradh’s operational development. This is different to what is described in the public notice.

"There is a question whether Conradh is acting outside its powers by seeking to accept the money from the O Modhráin Hall.”

Momentum has been growing at a local level to get behind an alternative proposal for the Hall proceeds which would keep the money in Newbridge. An initiative with Crooked House Theatre Company, which makes theatre for and by young people has been championed by many. The proposal was endorsed by Senator Fiona O’Loughlin in the Seanad on Tuesday last. 

The Crooked House Theatre Company charity, which was established in Newbridge over 30 years ago and works with young people, community groups and schools said it is willing to accept the funds for what it says will be an exciting ‘new works’ bilingual initiative showcasing Irish culture, literature and language in a modern context.

The initiative would allow for participation by a large number of young people over the next five years with an intergenerational approach. The multi-layered project will honour the legacy of Eamonn O Modhráin, an eminent Kildare Republican and Gaelgeoir whose family still lives in the area, and one of whom was a member of the Theatre company.  The initiative will include legacy outputs such as theatre, film, booklets or audio.

Peter Hussey, the Artistic Director of Crooked House, says "Our youth theatre develops projects, often at international level, about having pride in our native language. We would like to develop our capacity to showcase Irish music, culture, film and theatre that is created by young people and community groups in our town. We began, earlier this year, a weekly drama workshop through Gaeilge that we would like to expand as part of a larger bilingual programme to the public."

The Charities Regulator has started the legal process around offering the funds to Conradh na Gaeilge and has invited the public to send them their views and suggestions about the current proposal before 23rd October 2024.  This gives an opportunity for people to suggest an alternative by post or email. Orla O’Neill said people can get more information about the campaign on Facebook – the campaign page SaveEOMHall or search for O’Modhrain Memorial Hall. A public notice has been put up in Newbridge Library and Kildare County Council.

* Objections or suggestions in response to this proposal can be communicated to the Charities Regulator by Wednesday 23rd October 2024 quoting reference SR73187. 

They can be emailed to: [email protected] or by post to: Charity Services Unit, Ref SR73187, Charities Regulator, 3 Georges Dock, IFSC, Dublin 1, D01X5X0.