'Sinking' Mayo Peace Park 'a shame on the local authority'
"If it was in Killarney or Caherciveen, in Healy-Rae country, it'd be done"
Castlebar's sinking Peace Park has been left to crumble while Mayo County Council fails to secure funding for its repair, councillors stated at a meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District.
Councillor Ger Deere said the structure, dedicated to local people who lost their lives in both World Wars, is "just a disgrace" and warned it could collapse without intervention.
He recalled that his own grand-uncle, who left Snugboro at the age of 16 and was killed in Greece while serving, is among those named on the monument.
"That peace park is part of Castlebar," Councillor Deere said. "We have to find funding somewhere for that. Someday it will collapse, and how will that look on the town?"
Councillor Cyril Burke backed the call, describing the park as a fine structure and a worthwhile attraction even for visitors with no personal connection to those it commemorates.
Councillor Blackie Gavin went further, saying the council itself was to blame for the neglect.
"This council is to blame. It is a major attraction in the middle of the town. Shame on Mayo County Council, shame on the local authority," he said, noting that a safety barrier has been installed around the structure, he made a call for an application to be made for restoration funding.
Councillor Donna Sheridan questioned how a structure built around 2007 could already be in such poor condition.
"If you had a house built that long ago, you don't see too many structures falling down," she said. "Someone has to be held accountable."
Councilor Michael Kilcoyne responded, stating: "This is the public service, no one is accountable and said responsibility for the park's upkeep had previously been outlined in a report to the council, and questioned why funding had not been sought when other counties were regularly announcing grants for similar projects.
"Why aren't we putting in for money? These fellas are running around announcing money every day of the week. It is important, as it is an icon," he said.
Councillor Barrett called for the Office of Public Works (OPW) to take a greater role in protecting Castlebar's monuments, saying he intends to write to the Minister seeking recognition of the Peace Park as a site of national historic importance.
"Surely we can pay for a monument to record their names. Should it not fall on the State? If it was in Killarney or Caherciveen, in Healy-Rae country, it'd be done," he said.
Head of Castlebar municipal district Anne Moore told the meeting the council would write to the Minister regarding the park's status, and indicated that the brief for consultants working on a Lough Lannagh masterplan could be extended to include the Peace Park, with potential funding sources to be examined in the coming weeks.
Councillor Burke also raised the absence of any monument marking Castlebar's former International Song Contest, saying he had not seen any update on the matter in several months and would like to see a report brought before the council.
* Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.