As revealed by the Dealer, a campaign has been run from farming quarters to ensure that the monument would not suffer from planned redevelopment works.
In a meeting on Thursday morning in Athy town square, it was agreed that the sundial outside the town hall would not be temporarily moved as part of the planned Ernest Shackleton celebrations in the town.
A number of people with a vested interest in agriculture attended and made it clear to the public representatives that the monument is of national importance, marking the development of modern Irish agriculture.
The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the monument was to be moved “on a temporary basis” to make way for the cabin from the Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton’s ship. This is just the first step in a long-term project to redevelop the town centre.
Square upgrade
Kildare County Council has prioritised the upgrade of Emily Square, Athy, and a public consultation process started on 1 July. The Paul Hogarth Company has been appointed to lead the design process.
In a statement to the Irish Farmers Journal, Kildare County Council said that “it is expected that initial design options will be available in the coming weeks. In order to facilitate the eventual work, it is likely that all existing monuments or pieces, including the sundial, will have to be removed on a temporary basis. These will be restored in due course in conjunction with the refurbishment of the square”.
The costs of repairing various damages to the sundial will be included in the overall project cost, the council said.
“All of the foregoing matters will be the subject of a further formal public consultation process,” the statement reads.
The sundial was unveiled in 1994 by President Mary Robinson as part of the young farmer organisation’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The four-sided monument honours Stephen Cullinan as the first honorary secretary of Macra and the first editor of the Irish Farmers Journal.
Read more
Liam Dunne the sundance kid saves Athy from tourists
As revealed by the Dealer, a campaign has been run from farming quarters to ensure that the monument would not suffer from planned redevelopment works.
In a meeting on Thursday morning in Athy town square, it was agreed that the sundial outside the town hall would not be temporarily moved as part of the planned Ernest Shackleton celebrations in the town.
A number of people with a vested interest in agriculture attended and made it clear to the public representatives that the monument is of national importance, marking the development of modern Irish agriculture.
The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the monument was to be moved “on a temporary basis” to make way for the cabin from the Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton’s ship. This is just the first step in a long-term project to redevelop the town centre.
Square upgrade
Kildare County Council has prioritised the upgrade of Emily Square, Athy, and a public consultation process started on 1 July. The Paul Hogarth Company has been appointed to lead the design process.
In a statement to the Irish Farmers Journal, Kildare County Council said that “it is expected that initial design options will be available in the coming weeks. In order to facilitate the eventual work, it is likely that all existing monuments or pieces, including the sundial, will have to be removed on a temporary basis. These will be restored in due course in conjunction with the refurbishment of the square”.
The costs of repairing various damages to the sundial will be included in the overall project cost, the council said.
“All of the foregoing matters will be the subject of a further formal public consultation process,” the statement reads.
The sundial was unveiled in 1994 by President Mary Robinson as part of the young farmer organisation’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The four-sided monument honours Stephen Cullinan as the first honorary secretary of Macra and the first editor of the Irish Farmers Journal.
Read more
Liam Dunne the sundance kid saves Athy from tourists
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