Politicians across the political spectrum have welcomed the news of €772,000 in funding for the Old Steam Mill in Skibbereen under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.

The news was welcomed early on Friday morning by Senator Noel O’Donovan, who confirmed that €772,000 was given to the project to develop a conservation management plan and business case to refurbish 'The Old Steam Mill’ as a famine story and exhibition centre.

The proposal will see the existing famine story and exhibition move from its current location in the old Gas Works to the new premises. The funding is required for the feasibility study and detailed design, the first step in the process.

Senator O’Donovan welcomed the announcement, particularly as 'so many people have been involved in this project for years, so it is incredible to see it move to the next stages.

'I was absolutely delighted to have Minister Jerry Buttimer stop at the Mill on his visit to west Cork to really see the value of restoring the building to keep that part of history in Skibbereen alive'.

Minister Buttimer visited Skibbereen in June this year with Senator O’Donovan, and Cllrs Brendan McCarthy and Joe Carroll, to discuss the Council’s ambitions and the application. Terri Kearney, of the Heritage Centre, had the opportunity too to emphasise the importance of the Mill and its unique history.

Terri Kearney, Manager Skibbereen Heritage Centre talking to Minister Jerry Buttimer at the Steam Mill building in Skibbereen. Photo; Anne Minihane.

'This ambition is an example of the local authority stepping in to protect the heritage of West Cork. The determination of everyone involved, the local groups and individuals alike, is the reason that this project is starting to take shape' said Senator O'Donovan.

His Fine Gael colleague Cllr Brendan McCarthy also welcomed the news for the town.

'This is such a landmark building on the western entrance to Skibbereen and this funding should now lead to it being developed to its full potential. Skibbereen is synonymous with the Famine and the Steam Mill is an integral part of this story. This is a very positive day for Skibbereen'.

The news was equally welcomed by local Fianna Fáil government colleagues as Cllr Joe Carroll said that the new was reassuring, after years of campaigning.

‘This is wonderful news and a game changer for Skibbereen’.

‘I have campaigned for the development of this building for a number of years and to restore it and make it a genuine tourist attraction for Skibbereen. It's a building with very strong historic connections to the famine’.

Cork West TD Christopher O’Sullivan said the investment, like all of the projects for which funding was announced on Friday, would combat dereliction, boost tourism, and increase the vibrancy in towns and villages across the country.

‘Skibbereen’s Old Steam Mill stands at the heart of our community’s memory of the Great Famine, and it embodies the great heritage of Skibbereen: resilience, remembrance, and pride in our past’

‘This €772,000 investment is a vital step towards restoring the building and creating a fitting, permanent home for the Famine story and exhibition. I want to thank Minister Dara Calleary for this support, acknowledge the outstanding work of the Skibbereen Heritage Centre in telling this story with dignity and depth, and offer my full support to Cork County Council to progress the project. This will honour our past while strengthening Skibbereen’s cultural and tourism offering for the future’.

The Old Steam Mill on Ilen Street in Skibbereen was built in the early 1840’s and is connected to the Famine in Skibbereen. It was used as a soup kitchen, one of the first in the country, and then became an auxiliary workhouse.

Senator O’Donovan took the opportunity too to back his party's presidential nominee.

'The RRDF is an example of recognising the importance of investing in rural towns and villages. Heather Humphreys did extraordinary work on this fund in recent years, and it is great to see it continuing with Minister Buttimer. The Government is committed to increasing the fund and I am determined to work alongside them to ensure that the funding can be expanded and able to reach even more projects'.

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund aims to support large-scale and ambitious projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.