Mayo county town puts best foot forward ahead of rugby sell-out match

CASTLEBAR is buzzing with preparations ahead of the historic Connacht versus Munster rugby match at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park on Saturday.

The municipal district team are pulling out all the stops to welcome and facilitate the thousands of rugby fans visiting the town for the big game.

Local businesses are being encouraged to paint the town green this Saturday, and Castlebar Municipal District is leading the way, lighting up trees on the Mall and the sculpture at Cathal Duffy’s roundabout, as well as the front foyer of the council's HQ, Aras an Chontae.

District cathaoirleach Councillor Donna Sheridan has extended a warm welcome to the two visiting teams and fans ahead of their arrival in Castlebar.

Welcoming all the work that has been completed around Castlebar over the past number of weeks ahead of the game, she extended thanks to the Castlebar MD outdoor staff, Castlebar Community Clean Up, Tidy Towns, Chamber of Commerce and all the businesses who have rowed in to create a welcoming and wonderful atmosphere for the event.

Said Councillor Sheridan: “It is a tremendous occasion for Castlebar to host this first major rugby match and hopefully there will be many more to come.”

Castlebar MD has erected welcome signs around the town, along with directional/parking signage on all approach roads into and around Castlebar. Flags have been organised for lamp columns on McHale Road and the Main Street area.

Traders/business owners on Spencer Street are decorating their street with flags ahead of the event, and Castlebar Chamber has erected welcome signs on approach roads.

Bus parking is being made available at Castlebar Military Barracks and the council is working with Citylink on bus stops. There's also bus parking available at Pavilion Road and its adjoining car park.

Local young sports fans will also get to enjoy some rugby action this weekend, with the MD collaborating with Mayo Sports Partnership and Connacht Rugby for a schools rugby blitz on the Mall on Friday, with national school students from across the Castlebar MD taking part.

Media promotion of the event includes circulating Castlebar town maps on social media showing parking, bus stops, the train station, etc., for fans.

There will be litter picking of the town on Sunday after the event and extra traffic wardens have been drafted in from other MDs to help with traffic management on the day.