Call for plaque in Mayo town to legendary republican 

A councillor has welcomed progress on Ellison Street in Castlebar where four council-owned buildings have been demolished to pave way for 13 new social housing units.

The development is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2028 and will help deliver much-needed housing in the town.

At the June meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District, Cllr Ger Deere said he was pleased to see work advance on the site, which he had previously described as a “blight on the town”.

The new Cathaoirelach of the municipal district also called for a commemorative plaque to be included in the new development to honour author and republican Ernie O’Malley, who was born in one of the demolished buildings in 1897.

“One of the buildings that was knocked is very historical as it was the birthplace of Ernie O’Malley, the freedom fighter. I think that whenever it is rebuilt, there should be a plaque, and it could be named in recognition of him,” he said.

Cllr Deere also referenced the fountain in The Mall in Castlebar, which was donated to the town by the O’Malley family in the 1980s, saying historical connections such as these should be acknowledged.

“We are losing bits of our history, and this is very important, and I think it should be recognised when the building is up and running,” he said.

Head of the Castlebar Municipal District, Ann Moore, responded saying that the council would engage with the housing department and architects to explore installing a commemorative plaque as part of the development.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.