Church building converted into a cultural centre in Leitrim town
The Methodist Church in Drumshanbo has become Leitrim’s newest cultural centre after it was bought by Pat Rigney, owner of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin.
Pat Rigney, owner of The Shed DIstilery, has converted The 160-year-old Methodist Church in Drumshanbo into a new cultural and events centre in the town.
The Drumshanbo businessman bought the building which is now available to members of the public for various social clubs, musical concerts, and workshops.
“ Pat Rigney, he said he would like to get involved in the sense that he would buy it and use it himself at times but that it would be basically there for the community for their use,” said Cllr Enda McGloin.
Heather Humphreys, outgoing minister for Community Development, was present at the opening on Saturday where a Carol recital was held to mark the event.
“ We have loads of cultural and musical events throughout the year that this particular venue would be perfect … Artists will tell you a space needs to be interesting, needs to be different, needs to have history, needs to stimulate the brain and stimulate the mind in that sense it fits well in that sense,” said McGloin.
“It is still available to the methodist community if in the event they wanted to house a funeral in it, it is still capable of being a church and if there were a service or a funeral it would be ideal it has not been unduly disturbed in that sense.”
Members of the public can book the space for suitable events by contacting Drumshanbo Community Council or The Shed Distillery.
“It’s ideally centrally located, it is a wonderful pretty building internally it is lovely, it is an intimate space and it is something that Drumshanbo didn’t have before,” said McGloin.