There have been renewed calls for works at the Folly Glen in Armagh to create an asset for visitors to enjoy.
Councillor Scott Armstrong first raised the issue of the need for investment at the Folly as far back as August 2023.
But other than the efforts of locals, little, if anything, has been done by ABC Council.
And as the council approved a new Art on Your Doorstep Initiative, agreeing to install life-sized reproductions of famous works of art held by the National Gallery, the DUP representative believes now is the ideal time to turn a focus on the Folly.
The initiative, which will run from Spring 2027, will see up to 30 larger than life copies of artistic masterpieces put in place across the city, before moving elsewhere in the borough.
The council signed up to the initiative, as one of 12 hosts across the UK, and only one of two in Northern Ireland.
Councillor Armstrong was content that council should proceed.
But he believed it presented a fresh opportunity for the Folly which must now be explored.
He told the economic development and regeneration committee: “I’m pleased to see that Folly Glen is mentioned and I’m hoping that it will feature heavily within this Art on Your Doorstep, because it is on the doorstep of many residents within Armagh.
“It’s somewhere where I’ve been advocating a lot, and I’ve had a lot of conversations on the tourism aspect of how we can utilise this space and probably promote it more.
“A lot of people even in this room don’t know that it even exists, so I believe that this initiative could be the ideal time for council to sort of relaunch the Folly as a council asset, somewhere to visit within Armagh, and give it the investment it deserves and it’s missed out on for the last number of years.”
Councillor Armstrong said he was proposing council officers discuss with other departments within council about “how we can invest and utilise the Folly site before the Art on Your Doorstep initially begins in 2027”.
He added: “This will include improving footpaths, a general tidy up, and working collectively with the County Museum and the local community group there, the Friends of the Folly, to tell the story of the Folly in line with this Art on Your Doorstep.
“Hopefully we can work towards getting the Folly up to a good standard before this arrives.”
Brian Johnston, head of tourism, arts and culture, agreed to look into the request.
He told Councillor Armstrong: “You have approached me a number of times about that space and I think the National Gallery people did visit that location.
“I think because it’s so residential, they liked the layout of that and how it aligned with the local community so I’m happy to talk to colleagues on council bring that back.”
