Sligo County Council moves to acquire derelict Town and County Club building on Teeling Street

Sligo County Council has given notice that a vesting order has been made under the Derelict Sites Act with regard to the renowned Town and County Club which has fallen into dereliction. A vesting order is as a legal process that formally transfers the ownership of property or land from one party to another. It is commonly used by Local Authorities to take ownership of private property for public infrastructure, housing, or to tackle derelict sites without the previous owner’s consent. The T&C as it was affectionately known for generations, first opened its doors in 1891 before closing almost 10 years ago. It was established as a private, licensed social club for town and county members. The published notice from the Council published in this week’s The Sligo Champion reads: “Notice is hereby given that Sligo County Council in exercise of the powers conferred on it by Section 17 of the Derelict Sites Act, 1990, has made a vesting order which operates to vest the property described in the schedule hereto in Sligo County Council with effect from July 31. The Town and County Club operated until 2017 and a Sligo District Court hearing heard that it was being run by trustees but that it was finding it difficult to operate financially and in particular maintaining membership fees. The court was told by Mr Mark Mullaney, solicitor at that hearing in 2017 that the club wasn’t doing any business any longer and has closed. Judge Kevin Kilrane had stated at a previous sitting that it was his view that clubs of this nature “were gone past their sell by date.” The club, which was operated by three trustees, was before the court for two “after hours” prosecutions with Inspector Paul Kilcoyne also raising concerns about lack of signing in of members and admittance of members of the general public. The club, the last of its kind in the town, could serve alcohol for up to an hour more than pubs, to 1.30am on week-ends and 12.30am on weekdays. Inspector Kilcoyne said that at 2.40am on July 25th 2015 Sergeant Cathal Duffy inspected the premises and found 30 people present with fresh drinks at the bar and on tables. It was a similar scenario on September 23rd when the premises was inspected at 2.35am. Mr Mullaney said it was a social club. It had a dart board and there was also a snooker table. Judge Kilrane said it appears the club has gone from a genuine and successful club to one that was operating under the radar and one which was allowing members of the public in.. If it was allowed to continue like this then it was gaining an unfair advantage. The Sligo Champion reported on June 13 1896 that the first annual excursion of the Sligo Town and County Club took place on Sunday 7th June, 1896, to Glencar. “The members of the Club and their lady friends left from the Club House, Albert Street, arriving at “the far-famed and lovely valley of Glencar,” about one o’clock.” “The excursionists chose the Sligo side of the valley as their route, and the view of the lake, “under the atmospheric conditions which prevailed, was rather peculiar, a thunderstorm in the offing making it look as black as ink, while the surrounding woods and hills were sharply reflected from its placid depths.” When the party arrived at “The Lodge,” they were welcomed by the “genial, courteous, and popular proprietor, Mr. Bob Siberry, and his kind hearted and excellent wife.” “A sumptuous dinner was served at four o’clock, with the Mayor of Sligo, Mr. P. A. McHugh, M. P., (Editor of The Sligo Champion) occupying the chair. The “splendid string band secured by the committee,” played a selection of airs, to the background of vengeful thunder, vivid lightning, and rain, “and the music of the bass fiddle and the cornet were sometimes intermingled with the deeper rumblings of Nature’s artillery.” “After dinner, the group was photographed by Mr. T. Kilgannon on Mr. Siberry’s lawn. “The dining-room had been cleared out and waxed, and the dancing commenced. “Simply marvellous” music, was provided by the string band, and “the youth and beauty chased the glowing hours with flying feet” up to a late hour. “Mrs. Siberry provided “delicious tea” at intervals, and made the excursionists very comfortable. “It was to be regretted that “the behaviour of the Clerk of Weather” was so bad, that it prevented the party from enjoying the scenic beauty of Glencar, for which it was so noted. “However, the excursionists had a fine view of the Waterfall from inside and the day was so pleasant, that nobody wished it otherwise. “The journey home was “enlivened with music and song” and when the party arrived back at the Town and County Club, they were hospitably entertained by members of the excursion committee, who deserved great credit for their successful organisational skills. “It was a day of pure and genuine enjoyment” and in the annals of “that remarkably successful and popular institution – the Town and County Club;” it would be a pleasant remembrance by those who took part.” Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.