Work is set to begin today (6 July) on a new cultural and visitor centre at Pearse's Cottage, Ros Muc, Galway. An Taoiseach Enda Kenny will turn the first sod of the project.

The visitor centre at Pearse's Cottage is being developed as part of a €22m capital investment and will will leave a permanent legacy from the 2016 commemorations.

Pearse's Cottage is set in Ros Muc where Patrick Pearse – one of the leaders of the 1916 Rising – spent his summers from 1909 to 1915. The new centre will provide visitors with an introduction to the Irish language, the local Gaeltacht culture and the surrounding landscape. This will be done in the context of Pearse's story. The development will comprise four elements including a new visitor centre, Cosán Chonamara (consisting of 10 acres including looped walks), Slí na Coille (an interpretative space focusing on Patrick Pearse) and the existing Pearse's Cottage.

The development of the new centre is being led by Údarás na Gaeltachta as part of a steering group comprising Galway County Council, the Office of Public Works, Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

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Speaking from Pearse's Cottage, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: "I am delighted to turn the first sod for this centre which will be a fitting tribute to Patrick Pearse in a Gaeltacht area that was very close to his heart.

"As a permanent legacy of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, I believe that the centre will become a focal point in attracting visitors to an area which has so much to offer in terms of language, culture and heritage."

Accompanying Mr Kenny, Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Joe McHugh TD, added: "I am very pleased that the centre at Pearse's Cottage is one of the eight flagship capital projects being supported by the Government as part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme.

"I believe that the centre will greatly add to Ros Muc and will become a hub for experiencing Irish as a contemporary living language along with the Gaeltacht culture while highlighting the outstanding natural beauty of Connemara.

"It is also important that the location at Pearse's Cottage is to be a key discovery point on the Wild Atlantic Way where tourists can experience the many facets of our language, culture and heritage."

The visitor centre is one of eight flagship capital projects which form part of the Historical Reflection strand of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, a year-long programme of activity to commemorate the events of the 1916 Rising. The other projects are a new interpretive centre at the GPO, the upgrade of the military archives at Cathal Brugha Barracks, the refurbishment of Richmond Barracks, work on the Kevin Barry rooms at the National Concert Hall, a new visitor centre at Kilmainham Gaol and the development of the Tenement Museum in Henrietta Street. The Government have also added to this number through the decision to acquire the National Monument at 14-17 Moore Street.

(JP)