Midnight in The House of Sheridan Le Fanu

galway | arts and media | press release

Friday December 03, 2010 18:14

by Walter Pater - The Western Writers' Centre - Ionad Scríbhneoirí Chaitlín Maude, Galway

westernwriters at eircom dot net

087.2178138

The Arts Council's Determination to Shut Down the Western Writers' Centre is A Victorian Melodrama

The Arts Council have refused to fund the Western Writers' Centre, Galway {Ionad Scríbhneoirí Chaitlín Maude}under the Small festivals and Events Scheme, to produce the fifth Forge at Gort Literatrure festival, scheduled for March.

Sheridan Le Fanu: The Dublinocentric Arts Council now inhabit his former home

Expressing his frustration at the decision, the Centre's Director, author Fred Johnston, said "One may gauge the Arts Council's 'concern.' I telephoned the relevant officer and an answering machine said she'd be back on November 16th!" Fred Johnston added that it was one more a reminder of how little the Arts Council cared for art outside the city of Dublin and its development in the regions. "No recognition of Gort's role in the Celtic Renaissance through its proximity to Coole Park, for instance, would be possible in The Arts Council. They wouldn't even be able to find the town on a map. The Arts Council are determined to render the Western Writers' Centre inoperable and have been so determined for a number of years. By some in Galway, the establishment of the Centre is considered a threat. And this in spite of its being part of the City Development Plan. It would be interesting to know whether the Council have been influenced towards their stance."
He added that several Labour and one Independent Councillor had expressed support for the Centre but had refused to do so in print. "So I won't be voting Labour and I won't be voting for that particular Councillor. They all seem terrified of the City Arts Office."
Mr Johnston pointed out that at a meeting with the Arts Council at the end of 2008, when the Centre's programming grant was withdrawn apparently on foot of a tranche of press-clippings sent to them under an assumed name, he was told in no uncertain terms that the Council did not welcome criticism. "The clippings were of letters I had published in papers critical of the arts." He added that the Festival is now in serious need of sponsorship and funding if it is to take place - inquiries to 087.2178138 - and that he would welcome members of the pubic making their views felt directly to the Arts Council at 70 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 (+353 1 618200) (Photo: Farce Council housed in former home of Sheridan le Fanu, Dublin)