Steps of historic Mayo building damaged in traffic incident

The steps of the historic Burleigh House in Castlebar have been damaged during a traffic incident at Ellison Street in the town centre.

A motorist lost control of their vehicle after passing through traffic lights at the location and crashed into the steps.

A pillar and railings were damaged as well as a number of steps.

The area is cordoned off until repairs are carried out.

Fortunately, there were no pedestrians walking past the spot when the incident occurred.

The emergency services, including An Garda Siochána, attended the scene.

Burleigh House, Ellison Street, Castlebar.

The driver of the car escaped without injury. There was nobody else in the vehicle at the time.

Gardaí in the town are continuing their investigations into the cause of the accident.

Burleigh House dates back to around 1800 and was one of the largest buildings in the town at that time.

A terraced, four bay, three storey building over a basement, it borrows from both Classic and Georgian styles.

The name ‘Burleigh’ (or Burghley) is understood to refer to Sir William Cecil, first Baron Burghley, who was the chief advisor to Queen Elizabeth I.

According to local historian Alan King, it is believed that prior to the Famine the building was run as ‘Foy’s Hotel’ by a Thomas Gildea from Cloonagashel, Ballinrobe.

He held the office of Clerk of the Peace and owned extensive property in Mayo.

During the Famine period, the hotel was used as an ‘auxiliary’ or extra Workhouse when the main Workhouse in the town became overcrowded due to evictions and hunger.