Mayo song contest memorial plan back on track despite unexpected hitch
Two councillors rescue proposal after funding snub
An internal rift has blown up within the elected ranks of Castlebar Municipal District over a long-standing commitment to honour the Castlebar Song Contest with a public realm display.
A site near Shaws, across from Casey's Londis and at the rear of the TF Royal Theatre, where the event was held for over two decades, had been identified following a request by Councillor Cyril Burke.
The proposal is to put in place a public realm outdoor visual display at the location honouring an event which featured many big name stars and left a lasting impression on the town before coming to an end in 1988.
The project, however, hit an unexpected setback at a workshop at which local councillors were asked to select priority spending under the annual GMA allocation.
When the issue of funding a feasibility study for the song contest was put to members in the unavoidable absence of Councillor Burke, those in attendance opted to direct funding to a rural-based project instead.
This left Councillor Burke feeling very disappointed and somewhat embarrassed after giving a firm commitment in regard to the matter.
He told The Connaught Telegraph: "Yes, I do feel let down, but it's not the end of the matter."
The Castlebar-based auctioneer has since contacted officials of the municipal district offering, along with his Fine Gael party colleague Ger Deere, to fund the feasibility study out of their own personal GMA allocation.
"I want to make it clear that I have no problem with the other community group that received the funding in place of the song contest memorial proposal.
"It is also a very worthy initiative.
"But what I have difficulty with is the failure to honour a commitment in good faith.
"That's why I am glad to say that Councillor Deere and I are now honouring that commitment despite our elected colleagues declining to do so.
"I have been assured the study will now proceed and the move to commemorate the Castlebar International Song Contest in a fitting manner in the county town will be finally advanced.
"The location being proposed for the work lends itself to being developed to make a huge impact on both the appearance and functionality of the area.
"It offers the opportunity to provide a pedestrian link from McDonald's roundabout, Boots, Shaws and the Ellison Hotel to Tesco, Dunnes and onto Market Square.
"It will also give greater visibility to Mayo Peace Park and improve the likelihood of pedestrians availing of another access to Lough Lannagh walk and facilities, not to mention the fact of increasing the prospects of making the song contest commemorative piece an important feature of the area's enhancement work."
The first Castlebar International Song Contest was staged in the Royal Ballroom on Monday, October 10, 1966, with a total prize fund of £95. As it grew, it attracted a huge TV audience every year for the final night.
The presenters included Terry Wogan, Mike Murphy and Gay Byrne while the event attracted such esteemed composers as Jimmy Kennedy, who wrote some of the biggest hits in the world for Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and Marty Robins.
A former director, Paddy McGuinness, published a history of the event some years ago and it is still available to purchase online.
“It is a huge part of the history of Castlebar and was as big at that time as the Rose of Tralee is today," added Councillor Burke.