On Saturday 24th February at 1.30pm Lloyd Park, Tullamore will come alive with creativity and culture. Marking the official opening of the new public amenity space – Tullamore Bandstand, there will be a premiere of an exciting piece of contemporary dance commissioned to respond to the space. The commission funding has been made available through the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Outdoor Public Space Scheme 2021 and is associated with the development of the new Bandstand and accessible toilets and caretaker’s office in Lloyd Town Park Tullamore.
On Saturday 24th February 2024 at 1.30pm, the newly commissioned creation will be performed at the Bandstand in Lloyd Park by members of Tullamore based Donlon Dance Company, who developed the choreography with an ensemble of young dancers from the Tullamore area. Their performance will explore the interplay between water, outdoor space and the connection between water and play. The event will provide a great opportunity to see the new public amenity showcased in an arts setting, whilst the dancers have the possibility to explore how dance can be created in a site-specific manner, developing their new creation to respond to the bespoke space.
Tullamore Town Park, Lloyd Park, owned and managed by Offaly County Council, is an established local amenity and community resource in the capital town. The park was established in 1987 and officially opened to the public in 2008 following extensive refurbishment. The Park has been rejuvenated throughout the years providing inclusive sports, recreation facilities for children and youths including a playground, skate park, basketball court and a place to walk, run and exercise as well as adult gym equipment and a tranquil and beautiful area to relax and socialize for the wider community. Lloyd Park has been awarded Green Flag status, the international quality benchmark for the public green space sector annually since 2016 and is a source of pride in the community.
The installation of the Bandstand, accessible toilets and caretaker office in the Park was informed by the Life Worth Living Report of the Arts & Culture Recovery Task Force to improve outdoor public spaces for arts and culture events and festivals. This Project will enhance the outdoor space in the Park, facilitate year-round use, and is a place-making project that supports cultural endeavour and enables safe social activity. The space will made available for the use of arts and cultural activities and to arts and cultural organisations and individuals – interested parties should contact Tullamore Municipal District Office for further details.
Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Municipal District, Cllr Declan Harvey, will officially open the Bandstand and Facility on Saturday 24th February. Speaking about the development, Cllr Harvey confirmed “Lloyd Park is a wonderful inclusive community amenity, suitable for young and old, and I am delighted that Tullamore Municipal District Members proactively work with the Council to enhance this five-acre site from an environmental and creative point of view. I hope our local and wider community enjoy this new attraction. Members of the public are welcome to attend the event, which is free to the public, it’s a great opportunity to come together to celebrate another space to create in Tullamore!”
Director of Services and Manager of Tullamore Municipal District, Tom Shanahan, added “The Council wish to thank Healthmatic Ltd as supplier of the new modular accessible toilets and caretaker office, Larkin Engineering as supplier of the bandstand and Ellsport Ltd who carried out the civil works.” Mr Shanahan further commented “Tullamore Municipal District Members have allocated funding under the General Municipal Allocation (GMA) over several years, and continuing in 2024, to part fund significant developments in Lloyd Park including accessible toilets, caretaker office, water feature, as well as the new bandstand.”
The GMA funding allocated by Tullamore Municipal Members will go towards improved Public Lighting in 2024.