The committee of the Francis Ledwidge Museum in Slane has issued an appeal for funds to repair the 135-year-old birthplace of the poet and have also expressed concerns about a major bypass of the village which will be almost on its doorstep.
“We are delighted and relieved to once again open our doors to visitors from Monday 10th May, but the museum faces real challenges for its future sustainability” said committee chairperson Terry Wogan.
Prior to 2020, the museum welcomed many coach parties from historical societies and other groups from all over Ireland but those bookings were all cancelled last year and may well be ruled out for this coming season also.
“In common with all tourist venues, this has a devastating effect on museum income streams” Mr. Wogan said.
There are serious worries now that the home of the poet Francis Ledwidge will be lost to future generations through creeping dampness and other structural problems in the building at Janeville on the Drogheda to Slane Road.
The cost of conservation and other essential works is expected to run to €40,000 but the committee does not have the resources to carry out the works.
The museum which has charitable status CHY 13501 is now launching a public appeal for funds to save it and donations can be made by cheque, postal order or to the museum’s bank account:
BIC AIBKIE2D – IBAN IE96AIBK93218305435071
The committee decided to open the appeal now so that vital work can get under way this year to avoid further damage to the historical centre.
The cottage was once the home of Patrick and Anne Ledwidge and their children and the place where Francis was born (19th Augut 1887) and wrote some of his early poetry before going off to war and, eventually, his death on the battlefields of Belgium in 1917.
The chairperson said “The museum receives an annual grant from Meath County Council and the committee wishes to acknowledge their grateful appreciation for that support as without it we would not be in a position to cover day to day running costs. Unfortunately, two applications for grants made by the museum to the Built Heritage Investment Scheme have been unsuccessful.”
Another grave concern for the committee is the prospect of the planned new bypass for Slane which is scheduled to pass very close to the museum. They stressed that it was in favour of the bypass for the sake of the safety of people in the village but also of those passing through the village daily but have expressed fears that the gentle landscape around the museum will be irrevocably changed by the intrusion of construction work noise and disruption, the increased volume of traffic and intrusive lighting.
The chairperson said “Most visitors take time to relax and reflect in the beautiful adjacent garden and we are concerned that pleasant visitor experience will be much diminished by the proximity of the planned bypass.
“The museum is one of the key tourist attractions in the Boyne Valley region and adds much to the built heritage and cultural landscape of County Meath. It is vital that it can continue to showcase the life of a treasured poet and literary figure so we appeal for support to preserve for future generations.”
www.francisledwidge.com 041 98 24544 info@francisledwidge.com
