Mayo war memorial may 'collapse' if it is not quickly repaired

Councillors in the Castlebar Municipal District have voiced their anger over the deteriorating condition of the Memorial Peace Park, where cracks and fractures have begun to spread across the black stone wall bearing the names of those who died in the wars of the 20th century.

The Mayo Peace Park and Garden of Remembrance, located on Lannagh Road in the heart of Castlebar, commemorates all those from Mayo who served and died in the cause of world peace.

Opened in October 2008 by then President Mary McAleese, it stands as a lasting tribute to the men and women who put their lives on the line in conflicts around the world.

At the June meeting of the Municipal District, councillors insisted that funding must be secured to restore it, out of respect for those it commemorates and to keep it presentable for the many tourists who visit the park.

The matter was raised by Cllr Ger Deere, who said the current condition of the Peace Park was a “disgrace” and called for immediate action to be taken to repair the damaged memorial.

“We have to find funding somewhere. We owe it to those people who are acknowledged in it,” he said.

Cllr Deere also shared a personal connection to the site, explaining that a great‑granduncle is among those commemorated on the wall. He told the meeting that he had never known about this relative while growing up, as the subject was not discussed at the time.

His great‑granduncle left Snugboro for Liverpool, enlisted in the British Army, and was later killed in Greece, where he was buried in an unmarked grave.

Cllr Deere stressed that the Peace Park is not only a place of remembrance but also an important tourist spot in Castlebar, adding that its restoration should be treated as a priority.

“Some day it is going to collapse,” he warned. “How would that look on the town?” 

Cllr Blackie Gavin took aim at Mayo Co Council, saying that responsibility for the condition of the Peace Park lies with the local authority.

“It’s a major attraction. Shame on the county council, that’s what I say, because there are other projects being done so why isn’t this being done? It’s in the heart of the town,” he said.

Cllr Donna Sheridan said it was a shame the park had been allowed to fall into its current condition and called for accountability.

“Somebody has to be held accountable. They put up a structure there that is now falling over,” she said. “Who put in the foundation, and who left a piece of work like this? They should hang their heads in shame, because it didn’t just fall over,” she said.

Pointing out that the Peace Park is less than 20 years old, she said: “You don't see other structures falling down in that short [time]. It's shocking, and it's a disgrace. It’s crazy that public money was spent and now has to be spent again to do this,” she added.

On his election to Cathaoirleach of the Castlebar Municipal District, Cllr Deere said the restoration of the Peace Park would be one of his key priorities.

The Mayo Peace Park and Garden of Remembrance is dedicated to more than 1,200 men and women from across Mayo who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, and other international conflicts, including United Nations peacekeeping missions.

These include Mayo men who served with United States forces in World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Others commemorated include those who served with the Australian A.I.F. in both World Wars, those who fell in the trenches of Flanders Fields in Belgium, and those who served with Canadian forces during World War I.

The memorial also honours members of the Connaught Rangers Regiment (1793–1922), those who have served with the Irish Guards since its formation in 1900, Mayo soldiers who served in the Irish Army and in UN peacekeeping missions, and those from Mayo who died in the Spanish Civil War.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.