Major clean-up operation ongoing at historic Mayo grounds

The Castlebar Community Clean Up Group has started a major clean-up operation within the grounds of the historic Marsh House at Newtown in Castlebar.

Over the past few weeks the voluntary group have removed overgrown vegetation along with storm damaged trees.

A large amount of glass bottles, cans and litter has also been removed.

The amount of dog fouling at the location is a worrying trend when one considers that the Castlebar Educate Together National School share the ground space at Marsh House.

Mayo County Council has numerous signs in place outlining the need for dog owners to clean up after their canine friends.

Within the next few weeks the outstanding work carried out by the Castlebar Community Clean Up Group will become more visible to the general public who use this area to access the Lough Lannagh leisure walk and Western Greenway for leisure purposes.

Marsh House dates back to the early 1800s where it was once the family home of the O'Malley family who were agents of landlord, Lord Lucan.

Until recenrt years the house was the municipal headquarters of Castlebar Urban Council.

With the abolition of the urban districts in 2014, the council moved out and it has now been given a new lease of life by Castlebar Edcuate Together N.S.

Before the council took it over in the 1970s, it was occupied by Ms. Madge Feeney, who was daughter of a local businessman, Patrick J Feeney.

After her death, it lay vacant for some years and, on September 19, 1979, Lauretta Feeney Biggeln travelled from the USA to unveil a plaque on the wall of the building.

Lauretta was a descendant of the family and the plaque reads:

"To the memory of Patrick J and Sara Feeney and their children, Hubert, May, Nellie and Madge.”

The Western Greenway now runs through the grounds going from Lough Lannagh to the Museum of Country Life, Turlough.

PHOTOS: MICHAEL BROPHY