Briery Gap Theatre reopens in Macroom eight years after blaze

Cork writer Cónal Creedon was due to speak at an event at Macroom’s Briery Gap Theatre and Library the day it was gutted by a blaze on May 25, 2016, he told local politicians and dignitaries at the reopening of the revitalised building after a €10.3m redevelopment at the weekend.

“As I was passing through I did notice a bit of smoke coming out of the top and it didn’t seem like more than a small thing, but when I came back, the damage had been done,” said the writer.

“We moved the meeting across the road to the Castle Hotel and, in typical Macroom spirit, the people got behind it.”

Mr Creedon said he was hugely impressed with the ‘gorgeous, stunning theatre’ which he now saw in front of him.

“I love that new car smell that you get from a new build,” he said, paying tribute also to the library which forms part of the building and which he said was vital in terms of his work as a writer.

The ribbon was cut for the building by County Mayor Joe Carroll, Minister of State Colm Burke and Cork County Council CEO, Moira Murrell.

In his address, Minister Burke thanked the Council for its work to transform and reopen the building as “a safe and welcoming space” in Macroom.

“I think it’s important to acknowledge that this whole project is over €10m — there’s over €7.7million coming from the Council, which is a huge contribution from the Council itself, €600,000 from the Department of Tourism and then €2m was provided for the project from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.”

County Mayor Joe Carroll said the Briery Gap Library and Theatre had long played an important role for the people of the town, providing a cultural, educational and social space for the community.

“Today, we see that legacy continue, but in an enhanced way — through this beautiful, modern, and welcoming space that is ideally positioned in the centre of Macroom and which is accessible to all,” he said.