People voice their objection to sale of the Town Hall in Carrick-on-Shannon

Many people have taken to social media to express their objection to the sale of the Town Hall in Carrick-on-Shannon by Leitrim County Council.

The building was constructed c.1830 and is located on Bridge Street. The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage notes it boasts a number of “notable features” including its distinctive perron staircase, detailed openings and a bolection-panelled entrance door all of which they say “are architecturally significant.”

Local resident Gery Faughnan said on Facebook "Carrick citizens have just become aware that there is an imminent move by the Co. Council to sell Carrick on Shannon Town Hall owned by the people. The proposal will be made to the Co Leitrim Councillors at their full meeting scheduled for Tuesday next, May 2nd, at 11am, in Ballinamore.

"Authorising the sale of council property cannot happen without Councillors voting for it. Its what’s called a Reserved Function.
This is not an ordinary disposal like bits of land which the council routinely does. The Town Hall is a rare, prime location, heritage building owned by the people. It is held in trust by Leitrim County Council on the citizens’ behalf. The council is now proposing to hastily sell what they hold in trust.

"There should be full consultation with the citizen owners on their wishes for alternative uses by our community.

"The Town Hall requires long-term vision on community/cultural etc uses as a historical asset of almost 200 years standing rather than a quick disposal.

"If you care, I respectfully suggest you contact individual councillors and tell them your opinion. Many of the out-of-town councillor decision makers may not know of community feeling unless you tell them.

"I suggest confining Social Media activity at this stage to encouraging others to also contact councillors.

"It is a very old building probably needing extensive works, albeit that it was used as council offices up to recently. The council executive will say it will cost too much to bring the Town Hall up to spec. I would respectfully ask them to look at what their colleagues in Roscommon Co Council have achieved in our neighbouring town, Boyle. They have just now fully restored the old Royal Hotel to full modern spec.

"King House was another building, built circa 1730, slated for demolition. (I was in it when it was in very decrepit condition and occupied by the army). Roscommon Co Council restored it as a fabulous exhibition space, event venue and phenomenal tourism destination. They worked hard to get funding in very different hard times and succeeded.

"Mistakes were made in the past. I’m not knocking the current Co Council as they had nothing to do with the following: The vibrant Market Yard Centre - the then council wanted to acquire and demolish it for a car park; Carrick Courthouse, now The Dock, which the then Co Council wanted to demolish; and St George’s Heritage Centre, which the then church authorities wanted to take the roof off and abandon. Carrick Old Gaol was demolished by the then council.

"Citizen action and dedicated townspeople ensured the survival of the first three buildings. As regards the Old Gaol, I’ve visited Lifford Gaol and others that are now heritage sites and historical resources generating employment and tourism revenues.

"Council executives, councillors and the rest of us all move on eventually. But the legacy we leave after us in our time matters to those who come after us. We benefit now from the people who cared in their time."

His comments received huge support with many with some fearing that the building could be demolished if it is sold on.

The matter comes before the Council tomorrow as  a "Notice of Intention to dispose of Leitrim County Council’s interest in the Townhall Building at Townparks, Bridge street, Carrick-On-Shannon."