Not all singing from the same hymnsheet
The question of whether a bandstand should be erected at Mullingar Town Park came up for discussion at the September meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad. The discussion arose in response to a proposal by Cllr Bill Collentine that a permanent event stand be erected in the town park.
In its written response, the district stated that it had been considered before, but it was felt that due to the type and size of events currently hosted at that location, it was more appropriate to hire in staging events when required.
The response added that the previous bandstand had been removed due to anti-social behaviour.
Cllr Collentine rejected the fears about the recurrence of antisocial behaviour and countered that provision of the stand would make it more attractive for musicians and groups to come to Mullingar.
“I think we need to look at seriously and it would give Mullingar a bit of a boost,” he said, adding that it would benefit young musicians.
The mayor, Cllr Ken Glynn, supported the motion, saying one had only to look at the recent successful Wolfe Tones gig and the success of the Bachelor Festival to see the merit in the suggestion. Cllr David Jones suggested that the matter be discussed with Galway City Council, which purchased a mobile stage. Cllr Aoife Davitt and Cllr Denis Leonard also favoured the mobile stage option.
A contrary view was voiced by Cllr Mick Dollard, who said he would be opposed to having a permanent structure erected in any car park since it would have the effect of reducing revenue received from paid parking and he would prefer to see the money spent on traffic calming measures outside schools.
Cllr Dollard also questioned whether it was the responsibility of the county council to put in place a platform for music: “I don’t think it is, quite frankly,” he said. “I think we have enough responsibilities. I think we should look after those responsibilities.”
Cllr Dollard said he was a member of Westmeath County Council when it decided to demolish the old bandstand: “I think one of the best decisions Westmeath County Council ever made was to do away with that permanent bandstand down there in the town park, because it was creating nothing only problems – anti social behaviour, junkies, heroin addicts with needles and syringes.”
Director of services Deirdre Reilly said the notion of an outdoor public realm space that could be used for performances was something looked at as part of the Blackhall regeneration plan.
“Perhaps it’s something that we can look at along with the sports complex at Blackhall – but I will remind the members that we did bring forward at one stage a Fáilte Ireland-granted outdoor facility – I think we were going to get €250,000 and it wasn’t supported.”
She said Blackhall and Dominick Street had been discussed as potential locations for that.
She said there were also going to be insurance considerations to be kept in mind but undertook to come back to Cllr Collentine with a written answer in the future.