 This project involved a capital build in both partner areas of Banbridge and County Louth. In Banbridge the project enabled the creation of the FE McWilliam Art Gallery and Exhibition Centre and in Drogheda, County Louth, the project facilitated the restoration of a Franciscan Friary, namely Highlanes Gallery to world class exhibition standard.
Both galleries provide a major cultural and tourism resource for the
border region. Developed to ‘British Museum Standard B’ with the capacity to house major exhibitions the Galleries offer a major boost to the Regions cultural offering.
This project has at its heart a serious effort to increase cross-community and cross border co-operation in the arts field as it actively encourages people from both towns to take the opportunity to visit one another. Both facilities share exhibitions and staff and have made a commitment to develop joint education programmes which, will involve the exchange of community and school groups. Already, several exchanges have taken place with many more planned in the future.
This project will undoubtedly have a major positive impact on cross border tourism in the East Border Region.
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