Plans for Mayo beauty spot

Local councillors in Castlebar are working to make Lough Lannagh and its adjoining leisure complex one of the biggest visitor attractions in the region, with Cllr Blackie Gavin describing the amenity as the "jewel in the crown" for the town.

Both Cllr Gavin and Cllr Ger Deere submitted motions to the October meeting of Castlebar Municipal District seeking ongoing works and developments at the amenity to increase its offering to the public, while Head of the District David Mellett said the tenders for the Lough Lannagh masterplan had been issued, with feedback expected in December.

Cllr Gavin appealed to Mayo County Council to develop additional car-parking spaces around Lough Lannagh and the adjacent leisure centre, saying that the value of the amenity is growing exponentially as increasing numbers travel to enjoy its many offerings.

Welcoming the announcement of over €350,000 in funding for the development of a climbing wall at the leisure centre, an impassioned Cllr Gavin said parking was a big issue at the leisure centre and needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

“Once this climbing wall is completed in 2025, it will be one of the biggest attractions for this county and we will have families from all over Ireland coming to it.

“I have already congratulated the Lough Lannagh complex on their national award for which all staff there must be complimented. It’s a huge success. I see it myself, from 6.30am to 10pm at night, the amount of people using the facility day and night is phenomenal."

With Christmas fast approaching Cllr Gavin also referred to the festive attractions at Lough Lannagh and said the council should create a Christmas lighting scheme around the lake.

“This would be the start of a huge attraction for people coming shopping to Castlebar and maybe we could bring some big event also to Lough Lannagh to tie in with Christmas."

In his notice of motion, Cllr Ger Deere itemised a list of works needed around the lake, including new public lighting and CCTV cameras on the section of walkway overlooking the cemetery, completing the tarmacadam on all sections of the walkway, erecting new signage including map and distance markings, removing all ivy from Burke’s Castle and erecting secure fencing around it, installing a water station, procuring mink traps if required and clarifying if all dogs should be kept on lead and whether e-scooters are allowed. He also asked the council to identify costs and a suitable location for the provision of portable toilets.

In an additional motion, Cllr Deere called for bylaws to be drawn up to facilitate the parking of mobile coffee vans at the Lough Lannagh car park, stating: “There was unbelievably positive feedback to the coffee van at the recent triathlon event. People afterwards were thrilled with the provision of the coffee van and particularly elderly people who said it made them feel that going around the lake walking, that it was supervised and that it made them feel safe."

Cllr Deere said he had spoken to local business people and they were not opposed to the idea. 

All proposals were supported by members, with Cllr Harry Barrett adding that the council needed to appoint a manager to oversee Lough Lannagh as well as Castlebar Town Park.

Head of the district David Mellett said the council was seeking funding to develop additional parking spaces but it wouldn't be straightforward. Referring to the various ideas outlined at the meeting, he remarked: 

“There is no doubt Lough Lannagh is a fantastic facility and there is no shortage of ideas there. But the danger is doing too much and ruining it, so that is the purpose of the master plan."