The former Eircom building on Breaffy Road in Castlebar has been acquired by Corduff Travel.
Once home to over 200 employees, the building has been vacant for several years and its acquisition by the fast-growing transport company is seen as a major boost for the county town.
Corduff Travel is a third-generation business that started with one minibus as a local transportation provider in Rossport in North Mayo.
Over the years, the business has grown to one of the largest of its kind in Ireland with a fleet of over 140 mini-buses and coaches with over 150 people employed directly.
Corduff Travel is seen in all areas of the community from school transportation, Local Link runs such as HSE services, rural transportation high-frequency routes, to a range of private services. The firm offers a range of vehicles from four to 69 seats.
“Corduff Travel strive to meet the needs of virtually any customer in a safe, affordable and reliable manner, showcasing the beauty of County Mayo and indeed the island of Ireland offering a remarkable and memorable journey for all passengers wherever they decide to go,” said the company in a statement.
Since 2013, the company has been run by managing director Michael Corduff Junior, who has expanded the team and fleet rapidly. Corduff Travel expanded into Castlebar in 2014, but existing office and garage facility only has space for 10 office personnel and one pit for heavy goods vehicles, so it no longer meets the requirements of an expanding company.
Corduff Travel plans for extensive refurbishment of the old Eircom building and site. This development will create in excess of 100 jobs, including mechanics, technicians, sales representatives and administration staff.
The company also has plans to construct a large-scale heavy goods vehicle garage which will operate 20 hours a day. This will be a one-stop garage for all hauliers and bus/coach operators. This expansion will see an increase of 100% of the company’s workforce in the next 18 to 24 months.
Cllr Cyril Burke, who was involved in the sale through his auctioneering firm DNG, said: “The building has been lying vacant for years and will see new life breathed into it in the coming months with a major upgrade planned and a new employment drive.”
