'Historic day' as redevelopment plans for Mayo estate approved
THE approval of plans for a multi-million-euro redevelopment at Moorehall has been hailed as a 'historic day'.
They include a tree canopy walk, hibernaculum for over-wintering bats, a new entrance pavilion with reception, classroom and toilet facilities, walled garden pavilion, which includes a greenhouse and original planting as well as a walled garden tower, a cafe pavilion, and a bird hide, situated lakeside. The Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark will have a hub at the entrance pavilion and space is also allowed for a farmers' market and education events.
A Part 8 planning application, which will see visitor numbers rise from 37,000 at present to upwards of 90,000, was unanimously approved by Castlebar Municipal District councillors today.
Mayo County Council are partners with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Coillte in Moorehall. An application for €10 million in RRDF funding will now be made, with the three partner bodies having to provide €1 million in match funding - a third each.
Separately, and not subject to the Part 8, the NPWS has plans to roof Moorehall along with stabilising works in the basement and walls internally, Robert Coyne and Michael McDermott told councillors in an extensive presentation on overall plans for the site. It would be a glazed - not slated - roof, to allow light through, preventing water ingress, protecting the structure of the building and ultimately the bats that live there.
Access inside the house to the first floor balcony along with story boards detailing the house politically and culturally are also proposed, as well as an immersive experience in a room where visitors would scan a QR code and step back in time. At some stage it is also an aspiration to get to roof level with a viewing platform.
Local Councillor Al McDonnell, a long-time promoter of Moorehall and Lough Carra, said it was a very historic day and he paid tribute to the team involved in formulating this 'exciting plan'.
Before the council bought Moorehall in 2018 it saw annual footfall of around 4,000 people. Through moderate works that has increased to 35,000 in a short time, and these plans would enhance its reputation and attract many more, he said.
It will be 'the Kylemore of Mayo', cathaoirleach Councillor Ger Deere commented, with huge potential, and the role of the local community was also acknowledged.
Members were told Fáilte Ireland is preparing a destination experience plan for inland Mayo and this will be a key project in that plan.
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