Plan to revive historic Mayo hotel 'makes total sense'

A Mayo councillor believes the people of Castlebar are enthused by the prospect of the historic Imperial Hotel being re-opened.

Mayo County Council has agreed to the sale of the historic Imperial Hotel in the county town.

Councillors supported the proposal to transform the vacant premises and the adjoining motor tax office building into a 44-bedroom hotel.

The council was seeking to sell the Imperial and the Glenpark building to a hotel operator for €700,000. The prospective buyer already runs the Gateway Hotel in Swinford and the Cill Aodain Hotel in Kiltimagh. The landmark building located at the Mall was the site of the foundation of the Land League in 1879.

“I’d be very confident that this will come to pass. It makes total sense and will be a fantastic development,” said Cllr Ger Deere. "When I was on the campaign trail and this idea first came up a number of years ago, people were pushing for something to happen. And the feedback I got was that it had to be a hotel, particularly from the business people of the town. Anyone that I have talked to wants to see it opened up as a hotel and bring a bit of life back to it,” said Cllr Deere.

There had been suggestions that the Imperial could become new civic offices for Castlebar Municipal District. However, Cllr Deere believes the former council offices at Marsh House would be a better option. Marsh House is currently home to Castlebar Educate Together National School, which is striving to secure its own building.

“It’s a no-brainer because we own the property. Educate Together don’t want to renew the lease because they want their own standalone property which will hopefully be at the old hat factory [on the Newport Road]. It makes sense rather than looking for another building and it’s in a great location,” said Cllr Deere.