Sligo Masterplan Proposal

Case for a Core Tourist Attraction within the Future Development of the Lynns Dock area of Sligo

The basis for the Idea is that Irish Mythology be presented as a Complimentary attraction to the numerous sites of Ancient Archaeological interest in the North West in order to boost Tourism in the Region. The Proposal highlights Cultural Potential for the future of the Docklands area of Sligo, alongside the standard Commercial Development model. Ideally this would be a cluster of buildings of high Architectural quality with a Centerpiece Building of International Significance, and would be a Driver for both Sligo and the North Wests ambitions to grow under the National Planning Framework.

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.

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. 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.

Development Phasing

The Development would comprise a Commercial Element and a Cultural element which would allow for Phased Construction and Occupancy. The Commercial element could comprise a Gateway Tower - possibly a 3 or 4 star Hotel with allowance for Adaptability. At the Ground levels would be Cafe / Retail space. At Rooftop LeveI a Bespoke Lounge Bar / Restaurant with 360 views over the Sligo hinterland. A direct visual connection to the Mythological and Megalithic landscape - a potential tourist attraction in its own right accessed by a Glazed Elevator Experience.

For the Cultural Element, a reference to a Megalithic Structure is proposed. The Building would be Archaic in Form and differentiated from surrounding buildings. A Central Courtyard or Atrium space could house Large Exibits. Visitors would circulate around this to Galleries and Auditorium space. The Building would be primarily Orientated to the Waterfront. The Harbourfront might become a launch point to complimentary attractions such as Inishmurray. Waiting Areas / Tourist Information / Kiosks could take the form of Crannogs breaking down the Scale of the Museum. The Waterfront could be shaped to bring Water around Buildings.

Archaeology / Mythology

The North West offers an unusually high concentration of sites of Archaeological importance. The Immediate Sligo Hinterland has one of the highest densities of Prehistoric Archaeological sites in Ireland. It is the only place in which all classes of Irish megalithic monuments are to be found together. Sligo is an obvious choice as a Hub to serve outlying Sites such as Ceide Fields, Rathcroghan and Moytura.

The Introduction of a Visitor Attraction also focused on Irish Mythology could compliment these existing attractions and reinforce their appeal. The most prominent Natural landmarks associated with Sligo and its wider hinterland are associated with well known characters and tales from Irish Mythology. There is an opportunity to tap into a worldwide interest in Legend by presenting these Irish Myths together alongside the Megalithic Heritage.

It is evident that Mythology Themed Productions have Commercially Viable Precedent and offer Business opportunities. With the advent of the Digital Age and the ability to present storytelling via CG format, Ireland has an opportunity to present its Mythology to a Global Audience via this medium. The Mythological Cycle could be represented via a Film / Television Series or Animation, with scope for Irish involvement and Employment.

National Planning Framework - Should Sligo Aspire to be one of Irelands 10 Largest Cities ?

Sligo Docklands contains many sites of Greenfield and Brownfield Development Potential with Strategic Regional Value relative to the exisiting built fabric of Sligo. In order for the Town of Sligo to grow into a City capable of attracting Future Investment and Employment it must look to the Docklands for Expansion. From Sligo County Council Website "The Docklands LAP needs a clear vision of what it hopes to achieve, and how this will bring benefits in the long term, if it is to be effective in regenerating the area"

Surrounding Buildings / Urban Landscape / People Movement

A possible future Light Rail / People Moving system connecting the Town to the Industrial estate is outlined within the Urban Framework Plan of 2007. The area to the immediate west of the Museum would likely be a Cluster of buildings comprising a Creative hub, an Archaeological Department for Sligo IT and a mix of Commercial space. A new Street running North South from the Riverfront would open up a Vista onto the Dartry Mountains. Provision of a Pedestrian Underpass at Hughes Bridge could be investigated.

A Masterplan should avail of the Blank Canvas' opportunity to creater a Greener City - both in terms of Eco Friendly Buildings and Extensive provision for Green spaces and Soft Landscaping. There is opportunity to plan for future harnessing of local energy sources through "wind trees" within the Linear park, and through tidal power.

Tourism and Spin Off / Parallel Employment Potential

Sligo and the North West needs a Core Urban Attraction which will retain Tourists traversing the Region. The Tourist market is underrepresented in the Northwest in comparison to the Ring of Kerry, Burren or Connemara. It has previously been questioned whether Visitors have sufficent incentive to stopover in the North West en route to the Southwest. What if there was a Tourist Attraction in the North West which strengthened its Position relative to the rest of Ireland - but in return provided a Catalyst for the Development of Emerging Tourist markets such as Asia or the Middle East along the Entirety of the Wild Atlantic Way ?

Employment / Revenue generation for Sligo County Council

Apart from the Local Employment and Revenue generating potential which might arise from a Development of this nature, there are several potentially significant Parallel Opportunities in related Industries and Employment Sectors. There is potential for Commercial Association via an Irish Mythology based Movie Production or Television series to draw visitors in tandem with any Building Development in the Region. There is Potential for associated Spin Off Employment ventures in Tourism , Hospitality and Leisure of varying scales.