Over €72m in projects delivered since 2019 in Claremorris-Swinford district
The 83-metre Cloongullane Bridge, crossing the River Moy, is the largest single-span bridge in Mayo and one of the largest of its kind in Ireland.
Some €72 million was spent on delivering projects in the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District (MD) between 2019 and 2023, according to new figures provided at last week's meeting of councillors and officials.
District manager Padraic Flanagan praised councillors for driving these projects, noting that planning was approved where necessary and funding provided from the councillors' General Municipal Allocation (GMA).
A total of €63m was spent on the roads programme within the district, with annual funding rising from €9m in 2019 to €15m in 2023.
Among the largest projects was the construction of the new N26 Cloongullane Bridge over the River Moy near Swinford, which was officially opened in October 2022, and the N17/R320 Lisduff Junction upgrade near Claremorris, which opened last July.
Councillors provided €3.5m through GMA funding over the four years, with €1.95m going to community groups, €1m for capital projects, €300,000 for burial grounds and €280,000 for Christmas lights.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Gerry Murray said the sheer amount of top-quality projects delivered throughout the last five years is a “testament to the good working relationship between elected members and officials”.
“We have two electoral areas in Claremorris and Swinford, and I’d like to thank all the elected members for their work towards the common good,” Cllr Murray said.
Cllr Damien Ryan said their municipal district was the envy of all the other districts and everyone “gets a slice of the cake”.
Cllr Michael Burke complimented everyone involved, noting it was the most difficult five years in the council’s history because two years were effectively lost through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cllr Patsy O’Brien said the amount of work done in the district during the past five years was “astounding”.
