KILDARE, 20 August: by Grace Halford. A Newbridge woman has been appointed the first manager of the recently opened Heritage centre in Kildare Town. Mary Stone, who joined the team just three weeks ago said that she was delighted to have an opportunity to help develop the Town to its full potential as a heritage centre.
Mary has come from a primarily retail background dealing with ceramics and fine arts and she told KNN that because of this she feels that she will be in a unique position to promote and sell Kildare as an area of extensive history and beauty to visitors from all over the world.
The recently refurbished Market House in Kildare Town has attracted visitors from all over the world including America, Europe and Asia, but Mary says she wants the centre to become a place for local people and children to visit. She also added that she hoped it will change the image that people have of Kildare as just a place synonymous with traffic congestion. "I want to show people just how many areas of interest are just a stones throw, including St Brigid’s Cathedral, the Japanese Gardens and the Irish National Stud.
The Market House in the square of Kildare is a focal point for tourism in the area. It now comprises an audiovisual presentation and wall plaques, which illustrate the history of the town dating back to the time of St Brigid. It also houses models of the area and other items of local interest. There are also plans for a gift shop, which will act as a platform to promote local art, ceramics and other local products.
The centre will for the first time remain open throughout the year due to the demand from tourists who visit the area during the winter months especially since the establishment of the St Brigid’s Festival which will celebrate its tenth anniversary in February this year.
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