Local Notes: Castlebar Tidy Towns celebrates 30 years
Pictured at the Castlebar Tidy Towns Awards Night are students from Daviit College, Scoil Raifteiri and St Anthony's receiving their prizes in the Schools Competition from sponsor Pat Rowland (Elverys CEO) and Cllr Ger Deere (Tidy Towns). Picture: John Mee
Not even a wet and windy winter evening could dampen the spirits of those attending the Castlebar Tidy Towns Awards night. With standing-room-only, the community gathered to mark the group’s 30th anniversary and honour the dedication of individuals and organisations working tirelessly to make Castlebar a better place to live, work, and play.
Vice-Chairperson Ger Deere was MC for the the evening, which began with warm opening remarks by Tidy Towns Chairperson, Alan Mee and Anne Conlan, President of the Castlebar Chamber. The night then turned to recognising achievements across the community.
Sharon Cameron, Environmental Awareness Officer with Mayo County Council, presented the prizes in the Schools Poster Competition which was kindly sponsored by the council and judged by Aoife Hughes. In the Under 8 category Marko Velychko (Castlebar Primary) took the top prize while Juliette Nic Suibhne (Scoil Raifteiri) and Filip Koziol (St.Peter’s) took second and third. Sophie Slabik (St Peter’s) got first prize in the Under 12 category with Pierce Nestor (Castlebar Primary) and Emad Mahmoud (Castlebar Primary) taking second and third. From St Anthony's and St Brid's, Emma Purcell (St Anthony’s) took the top prize with Shane McDonagh Tolan (St Anthony’s) and Isla Slammon (St Brid’s) taking second and third.
Pat Rowland, Elvery’s CEO, kindly sponsored and presented the school's awards to Davitt College (Secondary Schools winner), Scoil Raifteiri (Primary Schools winner) and St Anthony’s (Special Needs Schools winner).
In the Public Building category, the Family Centre and Church of the Holy Rosary won first prize with the Garda Barracks and The Courthouse taking second and third. Corrib Oil took the first prize in the Petrol Stations and Auto Outlets category followed by Mulroy's, Breaffy Road and Togher Tyres. Joint winners in the best Floral Display category were The Rose Garden B&B and The Green Bay B&B followed by Carragh House in second and McDonald’s restaurant in third.
As always, the businesses and shopfront category was hotly contested as Ann Cresham and Marita Murtagh, Tidy Towns Committee members, presented the winners, Barrel & Castle, Brant Rock and Egan Jewellers their accolades. In the Industrial Award category, recognising their sustainability efforts, Fort Wayne Metals was a worthy recipient on the night.
A highlight of the evening was the very competitive estates category with over 100 estates throughout the town entering and being judged on their general upkeep and overall appearance. Lakeview won the Large Estates category and also the best entrance award with The Brambles and Knockaphunta Park taking second and third. Fortfield won the medium estates category followed by Foxfield and Heather Vale. Cois Abhainn was the Small Estates category winner with Greenfields and Blackthorn Village awarded second and third. An ecstatic Cois Abhainn returned to the stage to pick up the SuperValu Cup as the best overall housing estate.
Each year Castlebar Tidy Towns awards the Michael Mullahy Endeavour Award in memory of one of its founding members to a group that exemplifies the volunteer spirit. This year Sean Mullahy presented the prize to Dunconlan Close in recognition of their work over the last year. A special recognition award was also presented to Brian Finn and Tony Heatherington recognising the great work of TÚS in supporting projects throughout the town.
A special award conferred on the most active and impactful volunteer is the Liam Durkan Memorial Award which was this year presented by Eleanor Durkan and Fiona Larkin to Kevin Rowley. Kevin is a long-time volunteer with the Tidy Towns who is affectionately known as MacGyver for his superb carpentry and engineering skills which is put to great use right across the town.
As the evening concluded, a special presentation recognised founding members Ger Deere and Joe Butler for their decades of dedication to the Tidy Towns initiative.
Chairperson Alan Mee encapsulated the evening's sentiment, saying: "We applaud the contributions of community groups, residents' associations, sports clubs, and volunteers, whose efforts earned us our sixth National Tidy Towns Gold Medal this year. These awards celebrate our shared commitment to preserving the environment and inspiring the next generation to cherish and protect our town."
The Castlebar Tidy Towns Awards night was a fitting celebration of community pride, environmental stewardship, and three decades of dedicated effort.
Many Castlebar residents felt it was a sad sight to see a number of trees felled on the Mall last week.
One of the four felled trees was estimated to be almost 300 years old.
Mayo County Council said the measures had to be taken on health and safety grounds. There is now a proposal to create a sculpture commemorating the oldest of the trees.
“Sadly a number of trees have to be felled on the Mall due to health and safety reasons .One of the trees is estimated to be nearly 300 years old and has survived storms, wars, rebellions and witnessed so much historic events at the Mall,” said local councillor Ger Deere.
He said while it is regrettable that the landmark trees will no longer be a fixture on the Mall it was not a decision that was taken lightly by the local authority. Replacement mature trees will be planted early in 2025.
Cllr Deere has requested that sculptures be made from the timber of particularly the oldest tree and put on permanent display on the Mall as to retain the significance of this iconic tree.
“I have also suggested that remaining timber that is not suitable be given to local charities for firewood,” he added.
Lidl Ireland is planning to construct a new outlet in Castlebar, replacing its existing supermarket.
Plans for the project are due to come before Mayo County Council for approval.
Lidl Ireland GmbH is seeking permission for development at Lidl, Moneen Road, Castlebar, consisting of the construction of a new discount foodstore supermarket with ancillary off-licence sales on an extended site.
The proposed development comprises the demolition of the existing single storey store and construction of a part single, part two-storey supermarket.
Two of the region’s leading choirs are set to perform at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, as part of a series of festive afternoons at the Museum this December.
The choral performances take place on Sunday, December 22. The Cill Aodain Choral Society will perform at 2.15pm under the direction of Finola Higgins-Cosgrove and the Mayo Male Voice Choir will perform at 3pm under the direction of Deirdre Lee.
The annual choral performances have become a firm festive favourite with Museum-goers over the last number of years. Admission is free and no booking is required.
As well as an atmospheric afternoon of Christmas carols in the galleries, visitors can enjoy a live crib display with Kiltimagh Pet Farm and a pop-up display on traditional toys with a museum curator.
The team from Kiltimagh Pet Farm will be on hand in the Courtyard from 1pm to 5pm with Molly the Donkey and other animals associated with Christmas traditions.
Curator Tiernan Gaffney will be in the exhibition galleries from 1pm to 3pm on the same afternoon with a pop-up display on homemade toys in the Irish Folklife Collection. Learn how children used materials like wood, rushes and recycled materials to make their own toys, and have a go at playing with some of the toys from the museum’s handling collection.
Artist Carmel Balfe is also delivering a 'Christmas Tree Crafts' workshop at 2pm and 3pm. The Christmas Tree Crafts workshop is free but places are limited so booking is required.
Throughout the month of December, there is a fun 'Decoration Hunt' activity in the museum galleries. This is a self-guided trail - meaning visitors can pick up an activity sheet at any time during Museum opening hours and enjoy the trail at your own pace. Use the clues to explore three floors of exhibition galleries and find 12 decorations hanging in the displays.
For an outdoor activity, there is also a winter nature walk worksheet available from Museum Reception.
There is a North Pole post box at Reception for that all important letter of the year and be sure to go to Turlough Park House during your visit to get some nice family selfies in front of the Christmas tree in the formal hall.
Christmas Message from Western Care Association The Western Care Association has thanked the community for their support in 2024.
Mary Boyd, CEO of Western Care Association said: “Western Care Association extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us throughout 2024. I must extend a special thanks to our dedicated staff, supportive families, and the incredible volunteers and fundraisers who make a difference every day.” The Association has a Wren Day fundraiser taking place on December 26.
“2024 has been a busy and productive year, and we’re delighted to announce the launch of two new day services in the New Year. On December 26, we invite everyone to join us for our Wren Day fundraiser in Castlebar, Westport and Newport. It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy lively performances from musicians and dancers while soaking up the festive atmosphere. We wish you a peaceful and joyful Christmas,” added Ms Boyd.
