Save the Bank Garden Exhibition at Westport LIbrary

mayo | environment | news report

Thursday April 14, 2005 01:02

by Bank Garden Campaign

Exhibition at Westport Library to Save Westport's Walled Garden

Website and Exhibition launched to Save Westport's Walled Garden. 200 year old garden in danger of Development. Visit http://www.Bank Garden.com

Westport’s Bank of Ireland Garden is a unique entity worthy of preservation according to Westport Civic Trust Chairman Henry Horkan. Speaking at the annual exhibition by the Trust in Westport Library Mr Horkan said, “The garden is a unique entity certainly in the west of Ireland. It is worthy of preservation as part of the town’s heritage and we must remember that Westport is a designated Heritage town.
The exhibition highlights the heritage aspects of both the garden and the railway line walk with photographs and information. Also on display are the Civic Trust’s plans and proposals for the walk and for the Garden.
Addressing those gathered for the launch of the exhibition Mr Horkan spoke of the Trust’s vision of the Bank Garden as a public civic centre with a heritage centre in the old courtyard buildings. He outlined briefly the history of the Bank buildings and expressed his disappointment that the Trust had not been able to secure the garden in 2000.
Mr Horkan said that the reason for the Trust’s formation had been to save the garden and that the garden project was its “first baby and like all parents we respect and protect our firstborn and we will continue to do so. The purpose of this exhibition is to focus attention on these two heritage objects.”
Mr Horkan was particularly enthusiastic about the bank garden project saying he had been fortunate to have bought vegetables in the garden when it was open to the public as a source of fruit and vegetables. Mr Horkan thanked Westport Library and Mayo County Council for the use of the library exhibition space. He also thanked the newly refurbished Clew Bay Hotel for the provision of refreshments on the evening as well as Pip Murphy and Shirley Piggins for organising the event.The exhibition will run for the next week and all are encouraged to pop in and view the displays.
For more information visit http://www.bankgarden.com