Sale of portion of military barracks for new Mayo education and training centre

A PROPOSAL to develop a transformative College of Further Education and Training at the military barracks in Castlebar has been warmly received by local councillors.

They are being asked to approve the sale of portion of the military barracks to Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB for the education centre.

The proposed sale will come before the full meeting of Mayo County Council on Monday, with Castlebar Municipal District councillors updated on it at their monthly meeting yesterday (Thursday).

Director of services Catherine McConnell said the 6,000 sq.m. state of the art facility would be a game changer in how the ETB will deliver lifelong learning and education in the years ahead.

It will be the largest education investment in Mayo and strengthens Castlebar as a third-level town.

The council will be retaining Blocks A and B, which are closest to the gates, as well as the house used by the defence forces. URDF funding is being redirected to the council-owned property for development as an innovation hub.

Cathaoirleach Councillor Donna Sheridan agreed this was going to be a game changer for Castlebar, and it was probably one of the best projects they would ever bring to the town.

'A great news story', was how Councillor Blackie Gavin summed it up.

On apprenticeships, we have fallen way behind, and people are crying out for all different types of tradespeople, he said. This was a great start and it will be fantastic for the county.