Birth of a theatre - part 3
"This was the cause of great celebration in the County, but still left a sizeable amount sum to be raised locally, by the local authorities, and the community. It was agreed that this would be borne more less equally by Donegal County, Letterkenny Urban District Council and local fund-raising. The North West Theatre Project had been formed in June 1995 form the various local drama groups and other interested parties, and it was this enterprising group which agreed to spearhead the fund-raising drive that everyone knew would be needed.
"Finalising the detailed plans, not least the cost plans, and examining the various tenders received took another two years – most of it spent cutting our cloth to suit our measure – the original cost of £3.3M (€4.2M) had to pared back to nearer £2M (€2.5M). The sense of achievement and anticipation was tangible when a large crowd of Councillors, officials and members of the North West Theatre Project gathered in the Rectory Field in April 1998 to witness the turning of the sod, and the beginning of the final phase of realising the dream of a theatre for Letterkenny and the Northwest.
"Back in 1987 two members of the Errigal Arts Group went to see Brian Friel to enlist his support. His advice was “when a preacher comes to town first he build his congregation, the he builds his church”. Looking at the programme for the first few months at An Grianán, Donegal can say it has its 'congregation' and its 'church'.
"12 years in planning, 18 months in building, the dream is now a reality!"
Originally published in November 1999
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