Mayo town blasted as "depressing" by RTÉ TV architect

A renowned architect and presenter of RTÉ's Home of the Year, Hugh Wallace, has sparked controversy after describing Castlebar as "depressing" during a national radio interview.

Wallace made the comments while discussing a recent reader's letter to the Connaught Telegraph on RTÉ Radio One’s Oliver Callan Show earlier today.

In the letter, Robert, a young resident of Castlebar, expressed his decision to leave the town, citing a lack of opportunities and activities as reasons for their departure.

Wallace echoed these sentiments, agreeing with the writer's grim assessment of the county town.

"Robert is a young guy who feels he has to leave Castlebar because it's depressing. Unfortunately, I have to agree with him, I know Castlebar and it is depressing," Wallace remarked during the interview.

He went on to compare Castlebar to other towns that have undergone significant transformations, pointing to Clonakilty, Co. Cork, as an example.

"Clonakilty was considered a dump 25 years ago, and now it's spectacular, it's fabulous. This change happened because of substantial investment in the town," Wallace explained.

The architect also criticised the lack of town centre housing in Castlebar, suggesting that the absence of residents living "over the shop" contributes to the town's stagnation.

"That horrendous car park behind Main Street could be transformed. If 300 families lived there, it would inject €12 million right into the town centre. We need to change our mindset and stop being snobs about this," Wallace added.