Castlebar

Castlbar (gaelic Caisleán an Bharraigh) is the second largest town as well as the administrative capital of County Mayo. It dates from the early 17^th century, but its history as a settlement can be dated to the 11^th century. Built near the mouth of Lough Lannagh, the De Barry family erected a castle here in Norman times, hence the name Castlebar. The site of the castle was near the Convent of Mercy facing the Mall.

The castle and estates later became the property of the De Cogan and De Burgh families. In 1588, Sir Richard Bingham executed Edmund Burke and took over the castle and the estates. In 1613 Bingham received the title the Earl of Lucan. Lord Lucan, heir to the estates, disappeared after it was alleged he killed the family’s governess. In 1798, after the French landed in Killala under General Humbert, the British garrison, under the control of General Lake, was routed in what later became known as the Races of Castlebar.

Today Castlebar is a thriving, bustling town, the capital of Mayo, and has made many significant advances in recent years. However, despite the growth of the town, its people still retain the warmth and hospitality for which it is deservedly famous. Castlebar has a proud past and looks forward to the future with confidence.

The town has first-class educational facilities and the setting up of the Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology, Mayo Education Centre and the Centre of Nurse Education has attracted many students to the town from all over the country. market square by night

Mayo General Hospital and the Sacred Heart Hospital have very high reputations for the quality of the services they provide for people from all over Mayo. Castlebar has several important sports venues, including McHale Park, Milebush Stadium and Celtic Park. Of course there are also a number of amenities which cater for indoor sports.

The town has all the major supermarkets, making it a most attractive location for shoppers from all over Mayo and indeed from outside the county.

The members of Castlebar Town Council are campaigning to bring more industry to the town and a number of business parks have been established with this aim in mind.

Some years ago, in a joint venture between Castlebar Town Council and Mayo County Council, Lough Lannagh International Holiday Village was set up and it has proved itself to be a very successful venture.

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