Five derelict buildings demolished on historic Mayo street

FIVE derelict buildings have been demolished today at Spencer Street in Castlebar. 

The work was carried out by a private contractor on behalf of the owners of the sites.

It attracted a great deal of local interest and traffic on the street was delayed for a period of time.

The former Castlebar Town Council had announced plans a number of years ago to build a relief road at the location to serve traffic exiting St. Joseph's Secondary School.

But the proposal was abandoned following a feasibility study.

One of the property owners confirmed to The Connaught Telegraph the reason for demolishing the properties today was for health and safety issues.  It is understood three of the five sites is under the same ownership. 

A major gap on the landscape of one of Castlebar's most historic streets has been created as a result of the works.

However, there are no immediate plans for new development at the location.  

Spencer Street has a strong association with the Bingham family which resided at Lawn House in Castlebar from 1584. In 1776 Charles Bingham was granted the title Earl of Lucan or Lord Lucan.

That year his daughter married a son of Judge Spencer, who had presided over the Maamtrasna murder trials. The Spencer family built a summer residence at Spencer Park. The late Lady Diana Spencer was great grand daughter of this Spencer family.