Another museum in the pipeline for Castlebar?

By Auld Stock

IT has been suggested the Irish Museum of Modern Art be located in the West of Ireland.

A sensible idea.

Let me say straight away the ideal venue for such a museum is the Military Barracks, Castlebar.

There is lots of room to cater for the museum in the barracks.

Another aspect in favour of the barracks is that there is ample space for car parking surrounding the building, a good selling point in its favour.

The barracks is in the centre of the county town and is close to other important amenities.

Castlebar has a long and distinguished reputation in the history of arts on the national and international scene.

Micheál De Búrca, son of Madge and Thomas Burke, Maryland, Castlebar, was director of the National College of Art and Design, Dublin.

He specialised in landscapes and seascapes. Micheál’s wife was formerly Bridie Kelly, Newport Road, Westport, sister of Tommy Kelly, a popular local character.

Michael George Brennan was born in Main Street, Castlebar, where Danny McEllin later had an extensive business premises.

Brennan spent many years in Italy and was highly regarded on the Continent as a leading artist. He was brother of Louis Brennan, world-famous inventor.

On the local scene, an old school pal of mine, Michael Fadden, Thomas Street, was an outstanding artist and his family presented Auld Stock with a splendid painting of those who carried on the tradition of the Waits in Castlebar, including Stephen Guthrie, Paddy Clarke, Dessie Dunne and Joe Geraghty.