Safety measures for Mayo Peace Park wall

Fencing is to be put in place around the cracking and subsiding Mayo Peace Park wall in the coming weeks.

Mayo County Council issued an update to Castlebar councillors on what steps are being taken to address the issues at the Castlebar structure.

"Engineers have considered a number of possible remedial strategies to address the subsidence and cracking of the wall," the council told members of the local municipal council. "Taking into account the cause and condition of the wall, and the most economically technical solution, the following works are recommended as a long-term solution - Existing stone cladding to be carefully removed and stored for reuse; Block wall foundations to be demolished; Ground to be prepared for new foundations; New wall to be built and cladded with existing stone (some of the damaged stone cladding pieces may need to be replaced). 

"It is also recommended that the drainage system for the paved area is reviewed, as the current arrangement with soak pit located in close vicinity of the wall foundation may also be having a negative impact on the wall foundation. There are considerable costs associated with the works as outlined above, and we are currently working on an understanding of these costs and to identify potential funding sources to have this work carried out," the council said.

In order to keep the Peace Park open to the public, a fencing solution has been agreed upon. 

"As efforts are made to address the structural issues with the wall, to keep the Peace Park open to the public, the members of Castlebar Town Council have allocated funding through the 2024 GMA for a fencing solution to restrict access around the wall but that would not detract too much from the amenity. Quotations for the fence were returned this week, and we expect works to commence in the coming weeks," said the council.

The memorial commemorates those who served and died in major wars and conflicts.