projects
- - Feasibility Study - Interpretative Concept Development - Outline Architectural Design - Pre-Planning Application
An Sugan - Museum of the Irish Language & Gaelic Revival
Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh has long been recognised as a rich reservoir for the Irish language in Ireland. This small, remote village played a central role in the Gaelic Revival in the late 1800s and early 20th century with the crea-tion of the first Irish language teacher-training college in Ireland, Coláiste Múinteoireachta na Mumhan, in 1904.The Coláiste grew rapidly and in 1914, moved to new larger premises. The original building, located beside the village church, has recently been purchased by Coiste Forbartha Bhéal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh CLG (Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh Development Committee) and it is proposed to use it to estab-lish Ireland’s first Museum of the Irish Language and Gaelic Revival – An Súgán. The ambition is to create a heritage attraction which gives visitors a reason to stop, as they travel the Slí Gaeltacht Mhúscraí/The Beara-Breifne Way (a 700km walking/cycling route which passes through the village), or a reason to divert from the Wild Atlantic Way which currently by‐passes the village by a few kilometers. The attraction will also act as a ‘shop window’ for to‐day’s Coláiste na Mumhan still located in Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh . The museum will link in with other relevant historical attractions in the local area and will also provide tourism information about neighbouring sites. Mirador Media Ltd was appointed by Coiste Forbartha Bhéal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh CLG to carry out a feasibility study for the proposed Museum. The project brief called for the development of a document which would identify the target market(s) and how expectations can be met (and hopefully exceeded) through best of class interpretative design and clearly identify the route to market. The process consists of the identification of a primary vision, practical requirements and an economic basis for developing a coherent tourism offering in Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh and the local area. In addition, Mirador, in partnership with Glengarriff architects JJOS & Associates put forward an outline design and pre-planning documentation for the renovation of the building including its adaptation as a public space to ensure the project can indeed progress to the next stage from a practical perspective on the ground.