Concerns raised over Straide Community Hall impasse

Questions were asked at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council about the lease arrangement on Straide Community Hall.

Kiltimagh-based Cllr Adrian Forkan said he had attended a recent meeting where Straide Development Group requested a long-term lease of the Michael Davitt Centre in order to secure Clár funding for improvements. The existing lease runs until 2031 but a lease extension to at least July 2041 is required under Clár conditions.

“There seems to be some kind of a breakdown between the community group and Michael Davitt Museum itself," he said.

Cllr Forkan is one of three members of the council who are on the board of the museum. 

“Are we acting or honorary members and can we call an AGM or EGM, because it has come to that now? I have been asked to raise this and for the council to support what the Straide group is trying to do.” 

Cllr Michael Kilcoyne said he had served on the same board for ten years. 

“The duty is to act in the interest of the board of which you are a member and my understanding is Mayo County Council has absolutely no function as to the community centre. The owners are the Michael Davitt Museum and the three representatives from MCC are on that board.” 

Cllr Chris Maxwell said he hoped the situation could be resolved quickly, adding: “We are trying to do up our own hall [in Louisburgh], and I know how important it is to the community and how vital that it is looked after.” 

Cllr Harry Barrett said he attended the same meeting as Cllr Forkan and was struck by the level of concern expressed. 

“They believe they will lose control of the community hall they have maintained and built during the last 30 years and that hall is precious to them. I would like the parties to come together and sort this out so they can apply for funding and get on with the great work they do there.”

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.