Mayo county town street set to get a new name

A proposal is being put forward to name the new laneway connecting Bridge Street and Castle Street in Castlebar Collectors Lane.

The suggestion is made in a circulator to local councillors by the executive architect of the Castlebar Municipal District, Padraig Kelly, as enhancement works at the location near completion.

He explained: “Having studied the historic maps of Castlebar, this place name appears on the street now known as Lucan Street.

“According to the ‘Place Names of Castlebar’, Collectors Lane was coined Lucan Street after George Bingham the 4th Earl of Lucan.

“The Ordnance Survey Map c1840 shows the name as Collectors Lane while the 1890s map shows the name Lucan Street was also accepted.

“Collectors Lane was so-called because on Fair-days which were held on the 11th of May, 9th of July, 16th of September and November 18th, a toll would be collected at the bridge.

“The suggestion is that ‘Collectors Lane’ was not necessarily renamed as Lucan Street but that it’s use dwindled and was forgotten over time.

“The adjacent and newly refurbished laneway (and Castlebar Urban Greenway Link) also serves the purpose of connecting the area about the Fair Green.

“I am of the opinion that it in the interest of historical posterity and connection to a place rooted in the heart of Castlebar, that the place-name Collectors Lane should be reawakened and officially accepted as the new name of the laneway connecting Bridge Street and Castle Street car park.”

The laneway in question is currently known as Bridge Lane.