Chambers calls for historic Mayo site to be preserved

The original site of Barry's Castle, from which the county town gets its name, must be preserved in any future development of Castlebar Military Barracks, according to Senator Lisa Chambers.

Ms Chambers said it was of huge historical importance that this most significant link to Castlebar's earliest history be protected.

"We owe it to future generations that the foundation site of our town of Castlebar should be preserved and recognised for its historical importance," she said.

Ms Chambers said it was of huge significance that recent geophysical surveys by Mayo County Council of the Barracks site have pinpointed the exact location of the old Barry's Castle, sited on what was later the parade ground of the garrison, edging the Castlebar rRver.

She explained that the Castle, built in 1235, had consisted of two round towers, an infantry establishment, and a manor house, which became the Mayo residence of the Bingham Lucan dynasty until 1795. At that stage, the Lucans relinquished the Castle to the War Department for the construction of the Military Barracks, with the family moving residence to Lawn House, now St Joseph's Secondary School.

"I feel that many Castlebar people are not fully aware of where Barry's Castle was located, not least because today there is no visible trace of the castle above ground level," she said, "but now that we have conclusive proof of its location, and are able to pinpoint exactly where it stood, I feel that the historic site must be preserved and incorporated into any future development of the Military Barracks."

Ms Chambers called on Mayo County Council to ensure that the historic origins of Barry's Castle be acknowledged in any planned reconfiguration of the Castlebar Barracks property.