Historic building to finally get the attention it richly deserves in Mayo's university town

by Auld Stock

GOOD news for Castlebar with the recent announcement that €11 million is to be spent on a number of local projects.

I am particularly pleased the Imperial Hotel has been earmarked for special attention.

I remember the land reclamation project being launched from the Imperial Hotel when I was a young lad.

A plaque on the front of the hotel marks the launch. John Ross, Radio Éireann, broadcast the ceremony live from Castlebar.

Councillor Ger Deere has highlighted the neglect of the Imperial Hotel on a number of occasions and he must feel pleased with the news the building is being used for practical purposes.

Deputy Alan Dillon must also be happy with the huge sums of money being invested in Castlebar.

This proves the value of having a government deputy located in the constituency. Pádraig Flynn proved this point when he was in government.

Now Castlebar is being designated as a university town. More good news.

From a political point of view, Auld Stock doesn’t care what government invests money in Mayo. It warms his heart to see so much money coming the way of the county capital.

When the Imperial Hotel is being updated, perhaps a plaque to the memory of Michael Davitt and James Daly, editor of The Connaught Telegraph, co-founders of the Land League in the hotel (then known as Daly’s), could be erected in the building.

In the early years of the last century, the Imperial Hotel was owned by a family named Horton.

All the developments are good news for Castlebar and Mayo so well done to all associated with the various projects.