The centre is one of the eight flagship capital projects which form a core part of the Historical Reflection strand of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme. The visitor centre is part of a €22 million capital investment, which will leave a permanent legacy from the commemorations.
Pearse’s Cottage is set in a striking landscape in Ros Muc where Patrick Pearse, one of the leaders of the 1916 Rising, spent his summers from 1909 to 1915. The new centre will explore Patrick Pearse’s story through the lens of what attracted him to Ros Muc.
The development will comprise four elements including a new visitor centre, Cosán Chonamara (consisting of 10 acres including looped walks), Slí na Coille (an interpretative space focusing on Patrick Pearse) and the existing Pearse’s Cottage.
The development of the new centre is being led by Údarás na Gaeltachta as part of a steering group comprising Galway County Council, the Office of Public Works, Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Significant progress has been made on this project to date with Cosán Chonamara and Slí na Coille already completed. The Department are confident that all works will be completed on schedule by 30 September 2016.
Teach an Phiarsaigh itself was opened to visitors on 17 March 2016 and will remain open throughout the season.
Tá an t-ionad ar cheann de ocht gcinn de thionscadail chaipitil shuaitheanta atá mar chuid lárnach den tsnáithe Machnamh Stairiúil i gClár Comórtha Céad Bliain Éire 2016. Is cuid d’infheistíocht chaipitil €22 milliún é an t-ionad do chuairteoirí, a fhágfaidh oidhreacht bhuan ó na hócáidí cuimhneacháin.
Tá Teach an Phiarsaigh suite i dtírdhreach álainn Ros Muc, áit ar chaith Pádraig Mac Piarais, duine de cheannairí Éirí Amach 1916, gach samhradh ó 1909 go dtí 1915. Déanfar iniúchadh san ionad nua ar scéal Phádraig Mhic Piarais agus feicfimid cad a mheall go Ros Muc é.
Cuimseofar ceithre ghné san fhorbairt lena n-áirítear ionad nua do chuairteoirí, Cosán Chonamara (ina mbeidh 10 n-acra lena n-áirítear siúlóidí sceirdiúla), Slí na Coille (spás léirithe ina ndíreofar ar Phádraig Mac Piarais) agus Teach an Phiarsaigh mar atá faoi láthair.
Tá forbairt an ionaid nua faoi stiúir Údarás na Gaeltachta mar chuid de ghrúpa stiúrtha ina bhfuil Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe, Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí, Fáilte Éireann agus an Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta.
Tá dul chun cinn mór déanta ar an togra go dtí seo le críoch curtha le Cosán Chonamara agus le Slí na Coille cheana féin. Táthar muiníneach go mbeidh an obair uile críochnaithe faoin spriocdháta de 30 Meán Fómhair 2016.
Ar ndóigh osclaíodh Teach an Phiarsaigh féin do chuairteoirí an 17 Márta 2016 agus fanfaidh sé oscailte ar feadh an tséasúir.