Additional funding needed for south Mayo town hall

The annual general meeting of Ballinrobe Civic, Arts & Amenity Company CLG (Ballinrobe Town Hall) took place on Monday night, drawing the largest attendance in many years.

The proposed new town hall, to be developed in the former Valkenburg building, will provide a modern multi-purpose venue including a 300-seater theatre and events hall, sub-dividable spaces, meeting rooms, changing facilities, accommodation, a kitchen suitable for caterers catering for events in the venue, nine bedrooms for short-stay accommodation and accessible and inclusive design features throughout.

Chairperson Michael Sweeney opened the meeting by outlining the extensive work undertaken during 2025, much of it behind the scenes. He paid particular tribute to South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC) for leading the application under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and acknowledged the roles of CEO Sabina Trench, CFO Patricia Joyce and the wider professional team.

Mr. Sweeney also thanked Mayo County Council and local Councillors Damien Ryan, Michael Burke and Patsy O’Brien for their support. Mr. Sweeney emphasised that while outward progress may have appeared slow during 2025, weekly issues required attention throughout the year.

The chairperson reported that the project now faces increased financial pressure due to inflation and enhanced building regulations, resulting in higher construction costs. The company is seeking an uplift in Government funding and a reduction in local match-funding from 20 per cent to 10 per cent.

This position is fully supported by the detailed business case submitted by SWMDC said Mr. Sweeney. With meetings expected shortly with officials from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, he stressed that political support will now be critical in securing the necessary funding.

A number of design modifications were outlined, notably the incorporation of two universal-access bedrooms on the ground floor, which will allow the town hall to provide modern, accessible accommodation for visitors with disabilities.

Mr. Sweeney concluded by emphasising that securing additional Government funding is essential to the future of the project, noting that failure to do so would be a huge blow to the town and could delay any future attempt for many years. He stressed that Ballinrobe is not seeking a hand-out but a hand-up, and that the redevelopment of the Valkenburg represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to regenerate the centre of a rural town that is grappling with vacancy and dereliction.

He urged a united approach as the organisation works with SWMDC and local representatives to secure the required support. If the extra funding is not secured, he said, it will inevitably be allocated elsewhere, and the clear implication would be that Ballinrobe is not considered deserving of this vital investment. He said that this would be a very disappointing outcome, given the scale of community commitment and the transformative potential of the project.

The following are the directors and officers for the coming year: Chairperson, Michael Sweeney; Vice-chairperson, Michael Burke; Secretary, Siobhan O’Malley; Treasurer, Sean O’Connell; PRO, Liam Horan. Directors: Des May, Margot O’Shea, Sheena Duddy.