Disappointment over Castlebar's 'lack of green' ahead of St. Patrick's Day

A member of Mayo County Council has expressed his disappointment that not one public building or piece infrastructure in the county town is lit up in green for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

Councillor Ger Deere said on this day last year, the pubs in Ireland shut and the first lockdown started.

He elaborated: "We had a St. Patrick’s Day like no other. This year parades and celebrations move online when we wish we could be planning our own parades and decorating floats.

“Towns, cities and village all over the world are lighting up their buildings and landmarks in green and it is sad to see in the county most associated with St. Patrick that none of the public buildings in the county town are lit accordingly.

“St. Patrick’s Festival organisers nationally have said the national colour should light up Dublin and Ireland as a symbol of our nation’s courage in the face of challenge, remembrance for those we have lost and respect for those who have worked tirelessly on our front line.

“But it does not look like it's going to happen in Castlebar.

“Last year I highlighted that the bridge at St. Gerald’s College, Castlebar, be floodlit again with the colours changed to mark different occasions as happened in the past. But it has not happened.

“We should do better and even at this late stage I am calling for some buildings to be lit up in green.”