New housing estate officially opened in Mayo town

Minister of State Alan Dillon officially opened the 21-unit Carn Tulach housing development off the Cloonkedagh Road in Kiltimagh last week. 

The development features six 3-bedroom houses, eight 2-bedroom houses, six 2-bedroom apartments and one special needs bungalow. The houses are constructed to a very high standard and beautifully finished.

The homes are all A2-rated for energy consumption, which is a very high standard to achieve. Features include triple glazing to minimise heat loss and also to improve sound privacy. Air-to-water heat pumps are used to heat the homes. This is a relatively new technology in Ireland and is necessary to meet building regulations. The builders were Finna Construction Ltd. from Cross in South Mayo. They can be proud of their work.

In performing the opening, Alan Dillon TD, who is the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, said it was a significant milestone for Kiltimagh.

“This project is funded by the Government through its ‘Housing For All’ plan to the tune of €6.5 million,” Minister Dillon said. “It is a lot more than just bricks and mortar for the people of Kiltimagh. These new homes are designed with the tenant at the centre, and brings that sense of pride and confidence to this area, and offers residents a real chance to live independently, and in confidence, in a safe and secure surrounding.” 

Minister Dillon added that the development demonstrates the State’s commitment to ensure that there is continuous regeneration of rural towns.

“We certainly want to continue in that regard,” he said. “We are making efforts to increase the supply of housing and we are being challenged on a continuous basis, but we are responding and I want to acknowledge the progress across the country.

“In 2023, more social homes were built than in the previous 20 years. Housing commencements overall, in Mayo, have increased by 32% in the first eight months of 2024 compared to the same period last year. 

"The county also has seen a significant increase in planning permission approvals, and we have seen a steady increase in housing completions, which are very, very welcome. There were 523 new home completions in the county in 2023 compared to 451 in 2022 and 371 in 2021. 

"We need to continue to use every lever and tool at our disposal to build on that momentum. 

"The very, very best of luck with this development. I'm sure it will bring with it health and happiness and enjoyment to those who have a secure home into the future, and it gives me great pleasure to declare their social housing development now officially open.” 

Olivia Gallagher, Senior Executive Officer with Mayo Co Council, said the development would bring a new chapter for each of the families who will call the place home.

“It offers a safe, affordable and comfortable space,” Ms Gallagher said. “A place where families will gather, where dreams will take shape and where connections between neighbours will grow.” 

Cllr John O’Hara, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, said he was honoured to be at the openng.

“The opening of this housing development represents so much more than bricks and mortar,” he said. “It is a testament to the local authority’s commitment to providing quality housing to the community. 

"Everyone involved in this project should take enormous pride at the development. In Kiltimagh, 21 new families will breathe new life and excitement into the town and every new family who moves into one of those homes brings their own unique energy, laughter and dreams to the community. 

"We all know that small rural towns are facing tough times all over the country. But with new families come new schoolchildren, new community groups, more money being spent in shops and businesses in the town and the opportunity for future leaders in the community and maybe in years to come, a new county councillor. 

"This development is a fantastic testament to everyone whose hand touched this endeavour, from those who advocated for it to those who put pen to page to design it, others who signed off on funding approval, to the person who pushed a shovel into the ground, right down to those who rolled a paintbrush to apply the finishing touches,” he said.

Mayo County Council CEO Kevin Kelly, in a bilingual address, said that this was the latest in the programme of new housing developments constructed by the council in recent times.

“We will have many more of these days over the coming months and years,” Mr Kelly said, “and I want to acknowledge the work of the housing team in advancing a significant programme of delivery, ably led by Tom Gilligan the Director of Services.

“This development, which consists of a mix of housing solutions, including houses and apartments, has been thoughtfully designed to create a welcome and sustained living environment. The cluster of two cul-de-sacs offers residents a sense of privacy and tranquillity in a very central location, and with easy access to essential amenities and services. Getting the mix right, examining solution options to create a new development, is a complex task and it takes a lot of planning and preparation, but I believe that we have achieved here the most beneficial outcome.” 

The houses will be allocated in the coming weeks.