Funding sought for Mayo military barracks masterplan

AN impressive masterplan for the future development of the former military barracks in Castlebar is seeking to attract major investment and funding over the coming years.

The development area includes the old convent, Castle Street carpark and backlands at the location.

The nine-acre site consists of 14 listed buildings and direct links to the Mall and Lower Charles Street.

There is immense goodwill towards the proposal on an elevated site that is used for public events like carnivals and festivals.

Cox Power Architects, Westport, last year produced a 3D walk-though animation of the barracks, the laneway to the Mall, Castle Street, the urban edges of the backlands in Castle Street car park, the convent site and the military barracks.

The opportunities identified in the development proceeding include the provision of exceptional civic space, improve the town's tourism offer, connection to the Greenway, National Museum of Country Life and Lough Lannagh and the fact it would give a major lift to the town.

Ideas which emerged from a peer review of the site were the site's suitability for a climate change HQ, weather station, living accommodation, apartments, outdoor amphitheatre, adventure park, training for construction and conservation skills, a funicular/elevator tower, new shops, a famine museum, science gallery and an eco restaurant.

The big challenge facing the owners of the barracks site, Mayo County Council, is the sourcing of funding to undertake works on a phased basis.