Concerns over 'unsafe condition' of historic Mayo lakeside castle
An elected member of Mayo County Council has raised concerns over the structure of the old castle on the shores of Lough Lannagh in Castlebar being a danger to the public.
Councillor Ger Deere called on the authority to take immediate action to close off access to it.
He said the castle is regularly used as a meeting place by young people holding parties - but they should not be allowed to enter it any long because the walls are in such poor condition and could collapse at any time.
Explained Councillor Deere: "I clean it out on a regular basis in my role with Castlebar Tidy Towns and it is often littered with bottles and cans.
"But I am particularly worried about the fact that somebody may be hurt by a section of a wall falling on them.
"So I am calling for it to be fenced off to prohibit access to it until a risk assessment s conducted.
"The council should be looking at carrying out repairs and making it safe.
"I would like to see it floodlit in the future with a plaque erected beside it to inform the public of its history."
An article on the castle by Eamonn Bourke of De Burca Rare Books was published in the Castlebar Parish Magazine some years ago.
He said it was described as "an old and formerly fortified building" by Thomas Lacy during his tour of the west in the summer of 1854 when he visited the Castlebar area.
The article continued: "The building in question was Bourke Castle, and the latter part of his description is incorrect as this castle was never completed or lived in.
"The ivy covered ruins of the keep can still be seen adjacent to the north west shore of Lough Lannagh, on the outskirts of Castlebar.
"The castle was built about 1580 by a son of Edmond Bourke of Castlebar.
"This Edmond, as Tarist, should have succeeded to the Chieftaincy of the Mayo Bourkes with the title of the "Mac William Iochtar", on the death in September 1585 of Richard MacOliver Bourke.
"However the Governor of Connacht, Sir Richard Bingham had different ideas and he set up Sir Shane Bourke's nephew William as Chief. One reason for Bingham's choice was that William Bourke was thought to be more dependable from the crowns point of view.
"The result was the Bourkes of Castlebar, Carra and Kilmaine, the Owles with their blood relations: the Gibbons', Jennings', MacWalters and MacNicholas' with their allies the Joyces, MacDonalds' and O' Malleys went into rebellion.
"The outcome was disastrous for the Mayo Bourke's and their allies. Edmond of Castlebar, the Senior, was captured and hanged, even though he was an old man, over eighty years of age, had only one leg and had to be carried to the scaffold.
"Most other leaders met with a similar fate, Edmond's Estate was confiscated and passed to the crown."