An eye-catching image of Castlebar Military Barrack by Alison Laredo.

Part of historic Mayo site to be sold for major education investment

Tom Kelly

Published: Tue 4 Nov 2025, 11:52 AM

A NEW era is set to unfold at the historic military barracks site in Castlebar, dating back to 1834.

Officials of Mayo County Council are recommending the sale of 1.911 hectares of land, including buildings, to Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education Training Board (MSLETB) for a sum of €460,000.

An architect’s drawing of how the site will be transformed when the investment by Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board is completed in the coming years.

The proposal will be placed on the agenda of a statutory meeting of the council next Monday, November 10, for approval.

MSLETB, with the backing of SOLAS, has plans for a 6,000 square-metre state-of-the art, purpose-built college on the site which will allow for training in diverse fields such as agricultural technology, life sciences, digital technology and applied research and skills - providing high-quality facilities for learners and staff.

There will be dedicated spaces for engineering, healthcare, humanities, mechanics, hairdressing and beauty therapy as well as advanced laboratories and cleanrooms for MedTech and BioPharma training.

With a capacity for 1,000 students annually, it will have public and community spaces for events, workshops and exhibitions. Its sustainability will include the integration of green technologies as well as enhanced connectivity with walkways, greenways and public transport access.

It is planned to have access to the new facility from Castle Street car park.

The proposal is one of 12 projects that are currently being progressed under the Future Major Projects Fund for further education and training colleges.

The Department of Higher Education is committed to ensuring there is appropriate infrastructure in place to meet the needs of FET learners and teaching staff in the Mayo area and broader region.

The sale, when confirmed, paves the way for the next phase of the project on a site of significant archaeological importance where the historic De Barra castle, which gave the county town its name, was originally constructed.

Mayo County Council will retain 0.5000 hectares of the site, including blocks A, B, C and D, the Bridge House, which is leased to the Irish Defence Forces, and the entrance gates on the Rock Square and Lower Charles Street ends.

Local Councillor Blackie Gavin welcomed the progress on a project that is destined to have a far-reaching impact on urban renewal.

"It will be one of the finest investments Castlebar has witnessed for some time," he said.