Covid halts Mayo on Ice Christmas attraction

THE Mall, Castlebar, is set to be a much quieter place this Christmas following the official announcement that the ice rink attraction is not proceeding.

While the Covid pandemic had placed a doubt over the attraction returning for a fourth consecutive year, every avenue was explored by the local Chamber of Commerce before making the final decision on the matter.

Stated Bernard Hughes, president: “We were in consultation with the operator on an ongoing basis in the hope that there was some chance of it going ahead.

“But circumstances have made it unfeasible and we suspected that would turn out to be the case from an early stage of the year.”

The matter will be discussed at this week's meeting of the Castlebar Municpal District, which helped to fund the staging of the festive event on an annual basis.

The Mall will remain a popular family visiting place for Christmas, however, due to its brilliant lighting scheme.

It is planned to have a low-key ceremony early next month for the switching-on of the Christmas lights at a location outside the town centre.

Full details are expected to be announced in the coming days.