Friday, April 20, 2012

Saint Patrick's Centre Faces Closure over Funding Shortfall

One of Northern Ireland's main tourist attractions, which was built 11 years ago in the town where Saint Patrick is said to be buried, could be forced to close because of funding problems.

Directors at the St Patrick Centre in Downpatrick in County Down have been in discussions with auditors after Down District Council voted to slash its annual grant by £10,000. 

Councillors have agreed to reduce the hand-out from £135,000 to £125,000 and to start to claw back 10 per cent of a £100,000 loan given to the centre when it was first opened 11 years ago.  

Last year, the council reduced its funding by £15,000 and it is understood that funding has fallen by up to 30 per cent over the last two years.

In a statement issued by centre management, they said, “The council decision, taken without any discussion with us, has left the centre on the brink of closure. It is ironic that in a week when Northern Ireland is on the world stage with the opening of the new Titanic Centre in Belfast, another one of Northern Ireland's international visitor attractions is being closed by Down District Council. The Saint Patrick's Centre costs £135,000 a year to run and last year attracted in excess of 70,000 visitors into the area.”

Speaking on the matter, local DUP councillor Willie Walker said that the Saint Patrick's Centre must do more to attract visitors and not rely so heavily on grants. He added, “I believe they could be doing more to help themselves. They are not doing enough to market the centre to get people through and start making money.” 

The Saint Patrick's Centre, which first opened in 2001, provides an interactive exhibition exploring the saint's legacy.  

Visitors can explore how Saint Patrick's impact developed in early Christian times and examine the influence of Irish missionaries in Europe.