GCC/Corporate Services/ Heritage,.../ Capital Projects/ Town Hall Galway (continuation file)

File of correspondence primarily between Galway County Council (GCC) and Galway Corporation, and lessees of the building, Abbey Films Ltd., about the general disrepair of the Hall, and possible further developments for the property.  Includes:

• 1976-09-21 – copy of letter from Maguire & Anderson Solicitors, to GCC, relating to proceedings against the Council for ‘disturbance’ and Abbey Films intention to renew its lease.
• 1987-03-05 - Copy of signed lease between GCC and Abbey Films, Dublin (renewal of original lease of 1 April 1975)
• 1989 1990 – Correspondence relating to the Lion & Unicorn sculpture at the rear of the Town Hall (‘removed from the top of the County Courthouse shortly after Ireland became a Free State’ 1989-12-08);
• 1990-02-02 – condition report on Town Hall premises completed by Michael Forde A/E.E., together with photographs (minor detail given on reverse of photo), illustrating state of disrepair;
• 1990-05-02 – copy internal memo from Co. Engineer to Co. Secretary regarding areas covered by lease with Abbey Films which need repair, together with layout plan of the Town Hall premises; 

• 1992-05-27 – Internal memo from Engineer, Michael Forde to Deputy Co. Engineer, stating ‘the building has reached the end of its current life cycle and a major refurbishment would be necessary to last the next few decades’, estimate costs for major refurbishment amount to £213,000;
• 1992-07 – correspondence about taking proceedings against Abbey Films Ltd., for failing to see the ‘interior and exterior of the demised premises in good tenantable order and condition and to deliver them up at the termination of the demise’;
• 1993-05-05 – letter from the Old Galway Society to the Co. Secretary, with Society ‘has considered the Town Hall with its excellent acoustics and stage would be an ideal location for the Municipal Theatre and indeed, we would again appear to Galway Corporation to re-locate the Theatre there as, no only is it, in our view, an ideal venue fort the Theatre but it is also situate in an area where there is ample carparking available’, or alternatively the building could be used as a City Museum;
• 1993-05-03 – letter from Kenny’s Bookshops & Art Galleries Ltd to P J Gavin, City & County Manager stating, ‘I realize there may be difficulties and politics involved, but in the event of the building being taken over by the city, can I suggest it would make a wonderful Municipal Gallery.  It is an interesting building architecturally – central and accessible, and of a size which would suit such a gallery’;
• 1993-07-01 – internal memo from Co. Manger to Law Agent advised ‘I have reached agreement with Film House for the surrender back to the county Council of the Town Hall on the 15^th September 1993;
• 1993 – correspondence with the Galway Patrician Musical Society Ltd. regarding the future use of the Town Hall, indicating ‘Acoustically, the Town Hall Theatre was considered one of the finest in Ireland. To preserve this, we feel it would be very important to retain the original interior design’ (1993-07-06);
• 1994-03-15 – internal memo from the A/Co. Secretary to Galway County Council members advising ‘The Town Hall has been in the possession of the Council since the last Century but it has not been possible to locate the title deeds.
  It is now, therefore, proposed to grant a lease of the town Hall to Galway Corporation for a period of 99 years at a rent of £20 per annum.  The Lease will permit Galway Corporation to refurbish and develop the Town Hall as a Municipal Theatre and to operate the facility for arts purposes, conference, exhibitions and for similar and ancillary activities.  The Corporation will fund the works out of its own resources and with Grant Assistance from a number of sources’;
• 1994-11-18 – internal letter from Law Agent to Co. Secretary advising ‘The only records that can be found are that state that the County Council is paying a ret to the Erasmus Smith Trustees of #10.09 per annum.  I assumed from this that it was a Fee Farm Grant, that is a perpetual lease such to a rent charge, but this was an assumption on my part and I can find no evidence to either confirm it or otherwise’.  The Trustees would be willing to sell their interest to GCC.