Sligo N4 Landscaped Link

Case for Proposal - why Sligo ?

Sligo is the Regional Capital of the North West of Ireland. It was previously designated as a Gateway City given that it has the Spatial and Infrastructural Potential required to expand. In order for Sligo to grow into a City it requires significant Government and Private Investment. Innovative Proposals which Illustrate the future Urban Fabric of Sligo can strengthen the case for such Investment. Under the NPF & 'Ireland 2040', several Regional cities are to be prioritised for expansion as a way to balance Economic and Social Growth across Ireland.

Sligo is situated within a Landscape of Outstanding Natural Beauty. However in terms of an Urban 'Destination' it lacks Critical Mass required to attract and retain Visitors. Sligo requires an Attraction of a Scale which could act as a Catalyst for its growth as a thriving City. A Cultural Building whose Scale and Function would compliment and consolidate the array of Heritage Sites and Natural Attractions in the North West Region.

Sligo Docklands Development Plan + Backround to the Proposal

Sligo Development Plan makes provision for the future Regeneration of the Docklands. Sligo Borough Council has previously published a Document which indicates Potential for the Docklands (2007). This Framework suggests a Feature Tower, a Riverside Park, a New Transport Hub, a possible Light Rail route, and Anchor buildings ( ie. Conference Centre ). My Proposal extrapolates on this puts Architectural Form on the previous 2D Outline. A Unique International Tourist Attraction could be placed at the Core of the Masterplan. In addition, the Masterplan might include departure points for Boat Tours, a new Archaeology Dept for Sligo IT and a Creative Hub possibly including Film Studios & Space Stages. The remainder would comprise Residential and Commercial, and a Business Quarter Further West to close the Link with the Existing Industrial Estate.

Development Proposal Description

A County Museum intended to act as a Centre for discovering the Material Culture of Sligos Past and as a centre for Regional Archaeological Excellence has previously been proposed for the Forthill area of Sligo. This was part of a Competition winning entry for the Model Niland Quarter. Construction began in 2008 but was abandoned after groundworks were completed. This Proposal makes a case for a much larger building where the previously planned Museum broadens in Scope, and combines with an Interpretation Center focused on Mythological Legends to provide a Substantial International Tourist Attraction.

The Docklands being a more accessible location for Visitors presents an opportunity to use a Waterfront setting and Linear Park as a logical extension of a Cultural Building. Exibits relating to Regional Maratime Archaeology ( Spanish Armada ) and Ancient Trade could now be introduced. An enlarged building could be justified by the repatriation of Armada Artefacts and lending on Rotation of some Regional Artefacts from the stock of the National Museum. The Museum Scope could explore origins of Irish Mythology and the relationships with successive migrations to Ireland in Antiquity ( ie. Phoenician visits to 'Nagnata', Celtiberians etc )