Fresh hope for future of former Mayo courthouse

THE old Courthouse, Castlebar Street, Westport, closed in 2013 and was acquired by Mayo County Council in 2021.

The building is one of the oldest in Westport and Distillery Road, close to the Courthouse, was known as Kirk Street over one hundred years ago.

Tommy Moran and his wife Rosie, formerly Clarke, a native of Castlebar, were caretakers of the Courthouse and lived in the building for a number of years. Rosie was a relative of the Morahan and Basquill families, Castlebar.

Their son James was a psychiatric nurse in St. Mary’s Hospital, Castlebar, for a number of years before leaving for England. His brother Tommy, a prominent member of Westport town band, later went to England.

The good news is that a group of business people are interested in purchasing the Courthouse.

Councillor Peter Flynn said it could be possible to develop the building as an interpretive centre.

There was considerable funding available for this type of enterprise.

It is a pity the old Courthouse on Castlebar Street, Westport, where so many improvements have taken place in recent years, has been neglected.

I am sure his fellow councillors will give their maximum support to Councillor Flynn in his campaign to have Westport’s old Courthouse put to some useful purpose.

It should remain a top priority with all those interested in the further development of Westport as one of the leading tourist resorts in the country.

Come on the Covies!