Mayo's dereliction question - more pitfalls than progress over past two decades

THE county town of Castlebar has made some strides in tackling derelict buildings over the past 20 years, but huge challenges persist - leaving urban revitalisation in a wholly incomplete state.

The ongoing works at the old Post Office on Mountain View and the construction of social housing at Lower Charles Street provide optimism.

Hope has also been generated by the sale of the former Imperial Hotel - yet there are no indications at this point of progress being made at the site.

Mayo County Council has also acquired a number of sites at Ellison Street, but they remain untouched apart from some roof remedial works.

Consequently, dereliction remains a stubborn issue and particularly so in the urban core.

The town’s derelict sites register listed 26 properties in 2024, down slightly from 29 in 2023.

In total, there are currently 252 sites on the Derelict Sites Register in Mayo, down from 290 in previous years. But that statistic alone bears testimony to the slow pace of progress.

A number of elected representatives continue to highlight the inadequacy of local area plans in addressing dereliction as zoning and disputes over high betterment levy charges continue to stall regeneration.

Safety concerns also linger, with many derelict sites labelled potential hazards.

Like a number of other urban centres across the county, the problem of neglected properties underscores the need for stronger enforcement and community-focused planning to fully restore the county's vibrancy.