World-class visitor centre plan for Athlone

Plans for a major new visitor experience in Athlone are to be unveiled at a public meeting later this month.

A world-class climate action centre known as Climate House Ireland is proposed for the existing RTÉ transmitter site in Moydrum, Athlone, where it will be combined with a heritage centre focusing on the historic Marconi transmitter.

A public meeting to gather community input on the proposal is planned for Thursday, June 18, in the Douglas Hyde Theatre, TUS Athlone.

The Climate House Ireland project initially emerged in 2024 when tenders were sought for design work on the plan which, at that stage, was earmarked for a five-hectare Bord na Móna-owned site on the north east corner of Ballaghurt bog, some 12 kilometres from Athlone, in the townland of Clonaderig, between Ballinahown, Doon and Clonfinlough.

However, the focus has now switched to the Moydrum site, where it is proposed to co-locate with a long-planned broadcasting museum, which those behind the plan hope could together attract up to 200,000 annual visitors

The Marconi visitor centre project was initially mooted in 2014 as a national broadcasting museum, which would be used to promote interest in STEM subjects.

A local consortium called the Athlone Marconi Centre Heritage Group commissioned a feasibility report on establishing the museum, with a broadcasting and telecommunications theme. Whilst Fáilte Ireland was keen on the plan and set to provide financial backing, matching funding from the private sector did not materialise and the plan lapsed.

The broadcasting heritage of the former RTÉ transmitter site is considered to be of global significance. It’s thought that the Marconi Transmitter at the site may be the only transmitter of its kind intact and on-site on the location where it was in operation.

The transmitter was first used to broadcast the 1932 Eucharistic Congress.

Now, the Marconi centre concept has re-emerged alongside the Climate House initiative. More details are to be provided at the public meeting on June 18.

Peatlands and People Foundation, a new social enterprise company, is inviting the local community to the event to learn more about the development of a visitor attraction and futures showcase

Members of the project and design team will be in attendance to present plans and listen to feedback and ideas.

The informal event will give the local community the opportunity to voice their questions, concerns, and ideas for the project which is at the early planning stage. Attendees will be encouraged to share local heritage and stories for incorporation into the heritage aspect of the project.

The project team will also present initial ideas on the development of the Climate House which will be co located on site and which will offer connection to the Old Rail Trail Greenway and Crosswood Bog SAC.

The Climate House will incorporate an Encounter Experience, an immersive journey through storytelling and living landscapes, and a Futures Hub, a space for changemakers to meet, collaborate and share solutions.

The University of Galway was tasked with administering the initial phases of the project, including the appointment of a project teams for the design and delivery of a “world-class future-focused visitor experience and Climate House”.

For those unable to attend the in-person event, written submissions can be made through the project website (www.climatehouse.ie) where there is an introductory video.

Funding for the planning stage has been received through European Union’s LIFE Programme (LIFE IP Peatlands and People). The LIFE programme is the EU’s funding instrument for environment and climate action. The Peatlands and People project, of which the visitor experience is one part, is a climate action initiative aiming to use peatlands as a model to inspire behavioural change and build capacity in a region of transition.

Light refreshments will be provided. Parking is available in student and staff car parks on the TUS campus.