Mayo tourist attraction faces uncertain future

ONE of Mayo's busiest and most prominent tourist attractions is facing the prospect of restricted access due to health and safety considerations.

The memorial wall at the Mayo Peace Park in Castlebar is swiftly deteriorating with cracks opening up in sections of the structure.

The pathway surrounding the memorial wall is also sinking, causing the paving slabs and bricks to fall apart. This decline is occurring despite considerable investment being made in building the park over 20 years ago.

Members of the Mayo Peace Park Committee are very concerned about the situation because they don’t want to turn away groups who visit the site on a regular basis from the UK, mainland Europe and further afield.

However, they may be left with no option but to restrict access unless remedial measures are taken.

The committee wrote to Mayo County Council about their concerns about the memorial wall tilting in May 2021, but no action has been taken since.

Michael Feeney, secretary, has issued a fresh plea for the council to initiate efforts to repair the damage.

The authority planned and designed the memorial ahead of its opening in 2002 when a massive foundation was put in place to bear the weight of the main memorial wall.

“A structural check of the main memorial wall and pavement area by the council will confirm the extent of our concerns,” added Mr. Feeney.

Elected members of Castlebar Municipal District have also highlighted the matter, calling for urgent action on the matter.

But their appeals have so far fallen on deaf ears.