The headache caused by Mayo electoral boundaries revealed

ALL-IRELAND WHINGER: A political column by Caoimhín Rowland

A RISE in population as per the census means that under our constitution we are set to be bestowed more TDs than ever before after the next General Election.

We will learn more when the announcement is made in August by the electoral commission.

What is typically known as silly season in the news and politics calendar could be seismic in deciphering what faces we’ll see on our ballot paper next time out here in Mayo.

It’s important to note the selected mandarins will not be drawing up maps for the 2024 local elections, that job was done in 2018.

I’d still like to present to you a curious case that does exist in Mayo for the upcoming local elections as a microcosm of the difficult task at hand for the electoral commission.

On the shore of Lough Conn and at the butt of Nephin is the picturesque village of Lahardane, with a history as steep as the mountain that towers over it and pubs brimming with craic reminding you of an older Ireland.

Known the world over as Ireland’s Titanic village, due to the 14 souls from the parish of Addergoole who boarded the doomed vessel in search of greater pastures, with only two surviving.

Within the Addergoole parish, there are three villages each with a church - Lahardane, Bofeenaun and Glenhest. Lahardane is the relative ‘City’ for the wider parish. Consisting of one shop, two pubs, a post office, a community centre, a Titanic memorial park, a gun shop and an unoccupied whiskey distillery.

Indeed the last few landmarks make it sound more like an apocalyptic play-through map in a video game and not a charming hamlet in the heart of Mayo.

With a plethora on offer in a central location, it’s failed to receive adequate spending from the county's HQ. Perhaps a factor in this untapped potential is the fact its people reside in a politically divided arena.

Addergoole is like the holy trinity - people of the same parish vote in three different municipal elections.

Glenhest folk vote in the behemoth Westport/Belmullet district, most of Lahardane and all of Castlehill vote for Ballina councillors while Castlebar represents Bofeenaun and the largest swathes of the parish, despite an educational, cultural and postal affinity with Ballina.

Thus leaving the parish in disarray in attempts to court representation. Why would a prospective councillor bother to plámás a handful of voters at the periphery of their electoral boundary?

Fortunately, it's people and not politicians who have kept its vibrancy alive.

In 2011, on the centenary of the Titanic sinking, an unprecedented spotlight beamed on Lahardane as the world's media descended. In 2017 renowned GAA manager John Maughan and local players and volunteers brought sporting success.

New developments built during the Celtic Tiger have been swiftly snapped up. As its rural charm remains intact with a short commute to Mayo’s urban areas, on paper it has it all.

This is despite the treacherous stretch of the R315 (by far the parish's busiest road) failing to receive an upgrade and much like the rest of the county housing is now in short supply.

Indeed further development is needed and its roads improved, and the implementation of vacant property grants to tackle dereliction could see a fresher, revitalised region in years to come.

Therefore making it ideal for families searching for good schools, community and nature.

Its centrality is seemingly a curse politically but being equidistant to Ballina, Castlebar and Newport should be viewed by Mayo County Council as a key to unlocking many problems the county's buckling infrastructure faces.

Lahardane is like a lot of Mayo, with its above-mentioned amenities limited in scale but abundant in what makes this county special. Similar to Moygownagh, Glencorrib or Bonniconlon, these villages need to be nurtured and supported.

Plans announced in the realms of active travel also provide ample opportunity for growth in tourism, cultural and endurance events. Bringing with it jobs and opportunities in abundance, along with a new lease of life for current residents.

The parish of Addergoole is but one local example of the difficulties the electoral commission faces and issues that eventually arise when selecting boundaries or seats for a constituency, which they will be doing so on the national level.

A fascinating one at that, but come Fair Day on August 15 we’ll know a whole lot more.