A bid to name Letterkenny’s old Courthouse after Four Lanterns founder Frank Grimes has been put forward for consideration as part of plans to revive the landmark building.
Cllr Michael McBride tabled the proposal at this week’s meeting of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, describing the late businessman as a “generous and innovative businessman who left a huge mark on Letterkenny”.
Mr Grimes, a native of Ballinrobe in Co Mayo, came to live in Churchill, working for the forestry, and went on to build the Four Lanterns business with his brothers Vincent, Gerry and Paddy.
At its peak, the chain had 12 outlets and employed around 350 people, providing significant employment in Letterkenny and surrounding areas at a time when jobs were difficult to find. Four Lanterns continues to operate two outlets in Letterkenny.
“He was a hard worker who believed in giving back to Letterkenny,” Cllr McBride said of Mr Grimes.
“He was also a generous sponsor. If you played football, it is likely you wore a jersey sponsored by the Four Lanterns at some point in time.”
Mr Grimes was named Letterkenny Chamber’s Businessperson of the Year in 2002. He passed away ten years later, in 2012.
The Council’s official response said fixing a name for the Courthouse at this stage would be “premature”.
Councillors were told that work is still ongoing on the marketing and visitor experience plans for the €7M refurbished Courthouse, which is intended to become a visitor attraction of “international significance”.
A visitor experience consultant is currently considering how the building should be promoted and what name would best reflect the attraction.
Council officials suggested that Cllr McBride’s proposal be lodged as part of that process rather than fixing a name at this stage.
Cllr McBride said he was simply following the same route used by other members who had previously sought to have local landmarks named in honour of prominent figures.
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“I fail to understand the difference in me bringing in a motion or any other member,” he said.
Explaining why he believed the Courthouse would be a fitting tribute, Cllr McBride said the revived building is expected to bring footfall to Main Street, support local businesses and become an attraction enjoyed by generations of families.
Cllr McBride said he had spoken to the Grimes family before bringing the motion to the Council and believed it was his responsibility to put the proposal “on the table”.
Cllr Pauric McGarvey said members were not suggesting Mr Grimes should go unrecognised and raised the possibility of naming a room in his honour, subject to the family’s wishes.
Cllr Ciaran Brogan said it was important to “set the record straight” that members had already held an hour-long discussion on the Courthouse project just a number of weeks ago.
He said members had agreed in good faith to follow the process then outlined.
Cllr Ciaran Brogan also stressed the esteem in which Mr Grimes was held, while saying the agreed naming process should be allowed to continue.
“I have too much respect for the man. He never was divisive and he wouldn’t want this to be divisive,” he said.
Cllr McBride’s motion was carried at Tuesday’s meeting.
The proposal will now be forwarded to the visitor experience consultant as a recommendation from members and considered as part of the ongoing naming process.