New Mayo 'College of the Future' moves a giant step forward
"A once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a modern, innovative and accessible education campus."
A major education and training campus for Castlebar has moved a significant step closer, following the formal approval of the business case and completion of the site acquisition at the Military Barracks.
The project now moves to the design, planning and procurement stage.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin was in attendance at the site to confirm the positive news in respect of a facility that is expected to require a considerable investment.
He said it would transform a site that was originally built to restrict the liberation of Irish people in a former era into one that will provide education freedom for thousands of citizens in future years.
Some 1.911 hectares of land, including buildings, has now been acquired by to Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education Training Board (MSLETB) from Mayo County Council for a sum €460,000, to develop a state-of-the art college for training in diverse fields such as agricultural technology, life sciences, digital technology and applied research and skills.
Two blocks, and another property, are being retained by the council.
The newly-elected cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor John Caulfield, said the move represented a significant and positive step forward for Castlebar and the county in general.
"I firmly believe it will unlock further opportunities for education and skills development, helping to support economic growth and social inclusion, not just locally, but right across Mayo and the broader region."
Local Minister of State Alan Dillon described it as a landmark investment in skills, apprenticeships and lifelong learning for Mayo.
The project will now advance to the next stage, with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and SOLAS progressing the framework for detailed design, pre-tender and construction phases.
A key enabling step was Mayo County Council’s approval of the sale of 1.911 hectares of the Military Barracks site to MSLETB, securing a central and strategically important location for the new campus.
Minister Dillon said: “This is a landmark moment for Castlebar and for Mayo.
"With the business case approved and the military barracks site now secured, the project can move into detailed design and towards the appointment of the architectural team.
“The new college of the future will provide facilities for learners, staff and employers, while strengthening further education and training provision across the county.”
The College of the Future programme is a national initiative to modernise FET infrastructure through high-quality, integrated campuses that support skills development, inclusion and clear learning pathways.
Minister Dillon said the Castlebar campus would be a flagship project for the region.
“This development will bring together training, apprenticeships, upskilling and lifelong learning in a modern, accessible setting. It will support local industry, create stronger pathways into employment and ensure learners of all ages can access future-focused education here in Castlebar.”
The Military Barracks site, centrally located and historically significant, will be redeveloped into a modern FET campus designed around the needs of learners, staff, employers and the wider community.
Minister Dillon added: “This is a once-in-a-generation investment in Castlebar’s future. It is about creating opportunity, supporting ambition and ensuring Mayo has the skills infrastructure needed for the years ahead.
“I will continue working with MSLETB, SOLAS and the Department to maintain momentum as the project progresses towards design, tender and construction.”
Other speakers at the announcement included Minister Dara Calleary, Minister of State Marian Harkin, Tom Grady, chief executive, Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board.
The event was also attended by Avril Behan of Solas, the state agency that oversees the building of a world class Further Education & Training (FET) sector in Ireland.
In a statement, local Councillor Donna Sheridan said: "I am absolutely delighted that the barracks project has now progressed to the next stage.
"Having been involved in this project from day one and seeing it now become a reality, this is a brilliant day for Castlebar and for Mayo.
"This is a project that I have been passionately involved with for the past three years, both in my professional role as a member of the team in Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board and in my role as a public representative.
"Having worked in further education and training and the wider education sector for the past 19 years, I have seen first-hand the transformative impact that investment in education can have on individuals, families and communities.
"The purchase and redevelopment of the barracks represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a modern, innovative and accessible education campus that will serve the people of Mayo and the wider region for decades to come.
"This project is about much more than buildings; it is about creating opportunities, supporting lifelong learning, driving economic development and ensuring that learners of all ages have access to world-class education and training facilities.
"The vision for the barracks campus will place Mayo at the forefront of further education and training provision nationally.
"I want to acknowledge the tremendous work and commitment of everyone involved in bringing this project to this important milestone.
"Significant collaboration and determination have gone into getting us to this point, and I look forward to seeing the project continue to progress.
"As both an education professional and a local councillor, I firmly believe the barracks campus will become a landmark educational facility that will benefit generations of learners and the wider community across Mayo," she added.