Response from (Minister) Michael Ring regarding Convent & Summerhouse (Thanks to Genevieve Davis)

One of our facebook page members (Genevieve Davis) has just had a meeting with Michael Ring (Minister for Rural & Community Development in Ireland) regarding the sad plight of the Convent & Summerhouse. His response to her is on the page but here it is as Genevieve 'posted' it: __________________________________ Hello Caroline and all who treasure the Convent of Mercy, I have just returned from a meeting with Minister Michael Ring. I proposed a project to him about The Summerhouse. He liked it. He says that he has given the Council 1.1 million towards a new library on the property, but he would prefer to see the library situated in the very centre of town. * The Council owns the property now and the State cannot take the land. * He accepted my proposal for a new Summerhouse, surrounded by a beautiful garden. to be built on the original site as tribute to past pupils and teachers and in solidarity with their families. And * In the back section of the garden by the Summerhouse; also Community centre (where the laundries were), use of existing greenhouse, polytunnels, etc., to teach school children and .people from all walks of life, how to grow organic food. Minister Ring will forward my proposal to Peter Hynes of the Mayo County Council.