Longer opening hours and additional public funding for Galway Museum would come at a cost – and potentially mean an increase in property tax or commercial rates – city councillors have been told.
The reminder came from the local authority Chief Executive Brendan McGrath, who was reacting to criticisms levelled at the director of facility during a presentation to members.
“I’d love to open the museum for 50 hours, who’s going to fund the staff?” Mr McGrath asked them.
“We all want to develop the museum, but the income side of our budget is stagnant – unless you provide me with additional sources of income. You have to make choices – it’s either, or.
“Even increasing the visitor numbers increases costs, with the numbers using toilets, there’s wear and tear, and maintenance costs. The museum is a credit to Galway City Council, but you can’t operate the facility to the standard you want to.
“In few weeks’ time (budget), you won’t want to increase rates or property tax, and I’m trying to run a city on your behalf with no buoyancy. That’s the choice you have. I can’t constantly expand the services.
“You can’t get extra staff, additional running costs, or money to match Fáilte Ireland (grant aid) unless it comes from somewhere.”
Director of Galway Museum, Eithne Verling, had been invited to speak to members about a major undertaking that would, if successful, bring the building up to a higher standard which would enable it to receive valuable artefacts.
“It is like an ISO9000 (quality standard) for museums, a root-and-branch check of all aspects,” she said.
She said that the final date for the submission of 10 lengthy documents to the Heritage Council was September 30 last, and assessors are due on November 23, with full accreditation expected next year.
Although supportive, Cllr Padraig Conneely said that even if staff were successful in obtaining this distinction, there were larger issues to be dealt with, mainly that the building was not fit for purpose.
“A lot of money will have to be spent on it, about €200,000, as it is not fit to be a museum,” he said, claiming that a previous senior official had decided what it should be used for at the last minute.
“There are certain items that wouldn’t be lent to Galway because of the lighting and windows. Money has to be spent by Galway City Council to get it up to standard.”
He welcomed the expansion plans for the building and the surrounding Spanish Arch area, which are dependent on a significant grant from Fáilte Ireland, to be matched by the local authority.
“They have been very mean and slow with public funding for structural projects in this city, and I hope they will come up with the €4.5m to develop this area.
“There are fantastic plans drawn up for that. The Spanish Arch is one of our best known tourist attractions, and I’m very much supportive of the whole project.”
Cllr Ollie Crowe was critical of the short opening hours of the museum, which he described as unacceptable.
However, the response from the majority of the councillors was one of unanimous support.
Cllrs Mairead Farrell and Niall McNelis both praised museum staff for their 1916 Centenary events and displays. The latter added that the building was a great asset to the city.
Ms Verling acknowledged that there were some issues that needed addressing within the building, but disputed Cllr Conneely’s claim that it was not fit for purpose.
“There are issues, but these are being dealt with in different ways,” she said.
“We have made an application to the Department of Arts for funding to help us mitigate the environment – so we will be able to take international material for longer periods. It’s just an adjustment, and we have a good and clear plan on all of that.
“We currently have 350 objects given to us by the National Museum, and the National Gallery has also given us a bust of Eamonn Ceannt.
“We’ve applied to Fáilte Ireland for the extension (€6.5m), and plan to build into Comerford House, which is an integral part of our imagination for the city. We will know about funding for that in January, but we have received very positive soundings for that money.
“We would love to be there every day, but we just don’t have the staff, or the resources. We are planning to mitigate that as well.
“We are trying to increase revenue by introducing new revenue streams which will offset our costs. We are looking at a shop, maybe a franchise, interesting merchandise, tours, re-enactments, and at charging a fee into the new building.”
Ms Verling was not confident at the possibility of Galway Museum getting involved with the de-commissioned LÉ Aisling.
“We would love to be involved but the problem is funding – anything you have in the water is about 10 times more expensive than on land,” she said.
“There is so much maintenance, health and safety, and insurance. We would be very excited by it, but don’t know about the practicalities.”