Kehoe calls for Nationalisation of Wexford Opera House

Posted on 18/05/09 by Fergie Kehoe Local election candidate, Councillor Fergie Kehoe has called for the Nationalisation of Wexford Opera House.

"The massive investment of €27 million by this Government resulted in Ireland's first purpose built state of the art Opera House here in Wexford."

"I have written to An Taoiseach to ask him to consider making our Opera House the National Opera House of Ireland."

"Wexford Opera House is four times larger than the previous theatre with almost double the capacity. The incredible work done by the Wexford Festival Foundation in raising an additional €7million must also be acknowledged. The expansion increased the potential of the Opera House to host six operas every three days, an unprecedented level of performances."

"When he was turning the sod on the Opera House the late Minister Seamus Brennan remarked that the new building set new standards and that it would be a matter of regional and national significance and pride. So it is, and that is why we should now nationalise the Opera House."

"Wexford should become the home of the National Opera House and become a recognised cultural epicentre of the country. This would allow Wexford to market the town as an Opera destination and develop a plan for specific Opera Tours from all around Ireland, Europe and beyond. This increase in tourism would potentially create new jobs and secure those already there."

"When the Taoiseach visited Wexford at the weekend I took the opportunity to bring him to the Opera House to discuss the issue. I am confident that if the Opera House were to become the National Opera House that the whole of the South East could benefit," concluded Councillor Kehoe.