Patrick Kavanagh Centre officially opened
POET Iniskeen attraction a core element of new vision for Monaghan tourism
The new Patrick Kavanagh Visitor centre was officially opened this morning, ahead of the launch of a five-year tourism development plan for County Monaghan.
Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin was joined in Inniskeen by Monaghan native Minister Heather Humphreys to cut the ribbon at the Patrick Kavanagh Centre.
The Patrick Kavanagh Centre, located in a deconsecrated church in Inniskeen, is a new state-of-the-art visitor experience dedicated to the life and works of one of Ireland’s greatest poets. A €1.2million restoration and development of the site includes a new visitor experience and cultural space. The centre is expected to attract up to 10,000 visitors per annum by 2026.
The Patrick Kavanagh visitor experience tells the poet's story through innovative use of memory boxes, interactive touch screens and unique artefacts such as the Kavanagh Hand Press. The exhibition centrepiece is a triple-projection titled ‘The Pincer Jaws of Heaven’, designed to “envelop visitors with a cinematic flying journey”, connecting them with the raw power of Kavanagh’s words and landscapes that inspired them. Key works are read by Kavanagh, plus an eclectic selection of friends and fellow poets including Oliver Callan, Evelyn Conlon and John McArdle. This 15 minute short film was recently awarded the prestigious European Heritage in Motion award for 2020 in the best Film & Video category.
Cllr Aidan Campbell, Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council said the centre provides "a wonderful context for exploring" Monaghan's landscape that inspired so much of his work.
"This landscape that shaped Kavanagh as a person and as a poet has changed little since his time and young and old can enjoy the Kavanagh Trail as part of the visitor experience,” said Cllr Campbell.
The Patrick Kavanagh Centre and the development of ‘The Kavanagh Country’ experience is a central part of the Monaghan Destination Experience Development Plan (DEDP), which officially launches later this afternoon at Castle Leslie.
The Monaghan (DEDP) is a five-year tourism development plan, created by Fáilte Ireland and Monaghan County Council, that aims to drive the development of tourism across Monaghan.
"Patrick Kavanagh’s significant contribution to Irish poetry heritage is showcased wonderfully in this new centre," said Minister Catherine Martin, "which will have an important economic impact for the Monaghan and the surrounding region by attracting thousands of additional visitors and positioning the North East as a must-visit destination for domestic and international tourists.
"In addition, the Monaghan DEDP will provide a five-year framework to further develop the visitor experience in all areas of Monaghan from Glaslough in the north of the county down to Carrickmacross in the south, creating new opportunities not only for visitors but also for local businesses and people, and driving the development of regional tourism.”
Speaking at the launch, Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys welcomed the new centre as "a significant step" in the development of tourism in the area.
“The community in Inniskeen have developed a masterplan and this Government and my Department is providing the funding to help them implement it. Projects like this are all about that ground up approach to rural development. Without doubt, the Patrick Kavanagh Centre will be a fitting legacy for Monaghan’s most famous son.”
For more stories on the Patrick Kavanagh Centre, click here:
Newly revamped centre celebrates Kavanagh’s genius