Call for action on Mayo's historic 'eyesore' bridge

MAYO Councillor Martin McLoughlin has a bee in his bonnet about the condition of the parapet of the bridge which fords the Castlebar River at Bridge Street.

He reckons it's probably not been repaired since 1798 when the French and their Irish allies /Irish successfully took on the Redcoats there.

He's right.

Capping stones are askew, one end block is missing.

The structure, which should be handsome, given its history and positioning in the heart of the county town, looks positively shabby.

Councillor McLoughlin, who has raised the issue previously at municipal district level, says the bridge has been in a state of disrepair for as long as he can remember.

"The bridge is an eyesore," he commented, "not at all what it should be, a modern, impressive structure in the heart of Mayo's county town."

Councillor McLoughlin says he hopes that by 2019 the necessary works will be completed and an official naming of the bridge will take place.

The General Humbert Bridge, by the way, is Councillor McLoughlin's favoured name for the restored structure.