Council is urged to take over 'eyesore' in Mayo village
Councillors said the condition of the stalls is damaging Knock's reputation as a tourist location.
Some of the stalls selling religious paraphernalia in Knock village have fallen into such a state of decline as to be an eyesore, a local councillor has claimed.
Cllr Deirdre Lawless told the October meeting of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District that "the whole stall area at Knock is a complete show and needs to be revamped". The Aontú councillor was referring to stalls adjacent to the car park off the Kiltimagh Road.
"This municipal district needs to start pushing for funding for this. Knock is renowned as a Marian Shrine internationally and many people who visit and park there then come straight on to the stall area, and it is just like an abandoned shanty town. There are only a couple of businesses there now hanging on and while the stalls are privately owned, I understand the land is owned by the council.
"From talking to a lot of owners there, they would be happy to offload, if the council would buy the stalls back off them and then for the whole area to be upgraded.
"The existing playground is far away from the grounds in an enclosed area and is also unsightly. I think a new playground and green area and restaurant could be moved up there because when people arrive at the Shrine grounds, there isn’t a big enough area for them to come in off the rain and the restaurants nearby are already packed when it rains.”
She added: “A lot of children with disabilities are coming to Knock for healing and hope but there is no equipment in the playground or play area that is disabled friendly. So I propose we move the existing playground up and make a lovely family-friendly space where families can come in out of the elements. It would be a massive addition to Knock and would mean when people come off coaches, they would see a nice, friendly space that is useful to everyone, because at the moment it is a waste of space and unsightly.”
Head of the municipal district Padraig Flanagan agreed it was "an issue" and said the stallholders were originally given a long-term lease from the council, which owns the land.
Cllr John Caulfield said the stalls in question are "no longer viable".
“They were viable at one time but what they sell is no longer in demand and we should look at ways to take them back and make the grounds a suitable play area for children, maybe with a sensory garden adjacent to the lovely plaza area.”
- Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
