Appeal to make Castlebar the HQ of new Atlantic Technological University

“It would address the wrongs of the past," says Councillor Ger Deere

An elected member of Mayo County Council has called on the Minister of Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris, to establish the headquarters of the new Atlantic Technological University in Castlebar.

Councillor Ger Deere has tabled a motion on the matter for consideration at the next meeting of the council.

He elaborated: “Mayo fought a long campaign, which I was part off as secretary of the Mayo RTC Action Group, under the leadership of Paddy McGuinness, for the establishment in the county of an RTC, as institutes of technology were previously known.

“The campaign was based on a vision that saw a third level education institution attracting industry to the county through engineering, science and technological courses.

“The institution would provide support for new industries to create jobs in the county and reverse a declining population.

"The campaign culminated in the setting up in 1995 of what became known as GMIT Mayo Campus.

“It was a compromise settlement to the long running campaign which included running a candidate in the 1994 by-election.

“Mayo was to have third level education through partnership with Galway RTC.

“The Mayo Campus was established with the promise of a high level of autonomy from the Galway Campus.

“The experiment got off to an exciting start but Galway maintained complete control.

"The Mayo Campus was never given a fair chance and there was a steady decline in numbers of staff, courses and students.

“The situation in the Mayo campus deteriorated to such an extent that, four years ago, a special HEA Study was commissioned to ensure that GMIT Mayo Campus would be given a fair share of resources.

“So, my first point in calling for the establishment of the headquarters of the new university in Mayo is that it would go some way towards redressing the wrong that has perpetuated on the county since 1995.

“Secondly, Castlebar is the ideal location for the new headquarters. It is the administrative headquarters of the third largest county in Ireland.

“It has all of the infrastructure required for the headquarters. It well services by road, rail and air.

“It is equi-distant from Sligo and Galway and a further 112 kms to Letterkenny.

“There are several buildings and lands available in the town which would be available at much lower prices than in any of the other three counties.

"As far as I am concerned, it's the proper place for the HQ to be situated."