Castlebar Municipal District

General Information

• Awards and Achievements
  • Castlebar were declared winners of the ‘Rising Star Award’ at the 2019 Bank of Ireland National Enterprise Town Awards. This accolade is awarded to towns and urban areas that have improved significantly as a place to live and comes with €20,000 for investment in community projects. 
  • Balla community were the winners of the national 2018 Pride of Place Awards in the 300 – 1000 population category. 
  • Turlough Park won the ‘Green Flag Award for Parks’ which is bestowed on parks or green spaces that are maintained to a high standard. This is an internationally recognised award. 
• Leisure Complex at Lough Lannagh

  The Leisure Complex at Lough Lannagh was brought to completion in 2018. The project, worth €12.5 million, saw the construction of a new state-of-the-art sports facility, located adjacent to the vibrant Lough Lannagh Village. The complex is comprised of the following: 

  • A 25-metre, eight-lane competitive swimming pool. 
  • A 15-metre learning pool. 
  • A fully equipped gym studio (complete with weights and cardiovascular machines). 
  • A sauna and steam room. 
  • A Yoga suite. 
  • Pilates and Reformer Pilates suites. 

  The complex is wheelchair friendly with a PoolPod installed to allow wheelchair users easy access to the swimming pool.  

  Opening Hours:  

  • Monday-Friday 6.30am – 10pm 
  • Saturday 7am – 5pm 
  • Sunday 9am – 5pm 

  Location: Lough Lannagh, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. F23 A257 

  Phone: (094) 925 0149 
  Email: leisurecomplex@mayococo.ie 

• Castlebar Urban Greenway Link

  For people who are looking to embrace an active lifestyle, the Great Western Greenway’s Castlebar Urban Link is a great option for getting around. In 2018, funding of €938,000 was secured for the project which allowed for the expansion of our county’s famous greenway network. The Castlebar link now extends from Turlough’s National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, via Castlebar town and Lough Lannagh, to Rehin’s Wood and onwards towards Westport. Taking a trip on this off-road cycle and walking track is a great way to have fun and stay active, all while seeing what our beautiful county has to offer! 

  For more information, visit: http://www.greenway.ie/index.html 

• Establishment of Castlebar Municipal District

  The Castlebar Municipal District was established in 2014, following the abolishment of the Castlebar Town Council.  

  Members of Castlebar Municipal District meet on the last Wednesday of every month to discuss the development and implementation of policies across a broad range of areas. There are seven elected members and they work closely with the Director of Services, the Head of Municipal District, the Senior Executive Engineer and the support staff of Mayo County Council to ensure that the Castlebar area continues to thrive, both socially and economically. 

• Facts & Figures
  • Population: 29,992 
  • Electoral Divisions: 28 
  • Main towns/villages: Balla, Ballyheane, Ballyvary, Breaffy, Castlebar, Islandeady, Turlough, Glenisland 
  • Number of Councillors: 7 
• Festivals & Events 

  As Mayo’s county town, Castlebar is a hub of life. Our community spirit manifests itself in many different ways, but what is perhaps the best example of our businesses and community groups working together, is the host of events and festivals that are organised in the Castlebar area every year. Mayo County Council lends support to an extensive programme of events that cover a vast number of themes and interests, meaning that there is something on offer for everyone – from foodies to fitness fanatics! 

  If you are enthusiastic about sampling some of the best cuisine Castlebar has to offer, why not take a stroll through the annual Mayo Street Food Festival? The event showcases the very best of Mayo’s food scene, highlighting fantastic artisan produce as well as the culinary expertise of local chefs, with plenty of music and entertainment along the way! It is a fun and sociable event that everyone can enjoy. 

  For people who enjoy a more active lifestyle, the Castlebar area has plenty to offer. If you enjoy walking, running or cycling, you can participate in the Castlebar International 4 Days’ Walks, run a personal best in the Women’s Mini Marathon, or enjoy a day out on the bike for the Mayo Pink Ribbon event. 

  More leisurely options are also available for times of year when that ‘grand stretch in the evenings’ disappears. Over Christmas, enjoy ice skating in Castlebar or soak up the festive atmosphere in Balla’s Christmas Market. Both are great events for families or couples, so be sure to pay them a visit during the winter months! 

  Mayo County Council does its utmost every year to draw some of the best talents from all over the county to its flagship Mayo Day event, which has been located at Turlough House in recent years. This all-encompassing event is focused on a different theme each year but in the past has linked together: the arts, music, literature, food and business. 

  For more information, keep up to date with our social media channels: 

  Facebook: Mayo County Council / @mayococo 

  Twitter: Mayo County Council / @mayococo 

• Linenhall Arts Centre

  The Linenhall, Mayo’s oldest arts centre, attracts some of the country’s best talent with their extensive programme of theatre, music, cinema, opera, dance, visual arts and workshops for all in our community. With the support of Mayo County Council, the Linenhall has established itself as a true bastion of the arts. It is highly recommended that art lovers of any kind stop by, as there really is something for everyone, no matter your taste! 

  For more information see their website: http://www.thelinenhall.com/ 

  Contact: 

  The Linenhall Arts Centre, 

  Linenhall Street, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland. 

  Telephone: 094 902 3733 

  Email: linenhallac@gmail.com 

• Lough Lannagh Holiday Village

  Whether looking for a family holiday, somewhere to stay for the night, or booking a group for a meeting, Lough Lannagh Village is the perfect destination for you. Located on the banks of Lough Lannagh, this hidden gem in the heart of Castlebar caters for all your getaway needs and is complete with a B&B lodge, self-catering cottages and a site for caravan or camping holidays. No matter where you choose to stay, you will enjoy homely holiday accommodation in a scenic, family-oriented environment. It is a great location for walkers and cyclists, with a walking track around the lake and access to the Great Western Greenway on site. 

  Bigger groups, meetings or events are also welcome, as the B&B and holiday cottages can house up to 120 residential visitors. 

  For more information, visit their website: http://www.loughlannagh.ie/ 

  Contact: 

  Paul or Gerardine Lennon 

  Lough Lannagh Holiday Village, Old Westport Road, Castlebar, Mayo. 

  Telephone: 094 902 7111 

• Mayo County Library

  As the largest cultural or heritage organisation in the county, Mayo libraries attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. With an extensive cultural programme, hundreds of events are hosted by Mayo libraries every year, including a wide range of events for children, culminating in the month-long Children’s Book Festival in October. 

  Some of the features of Castlebar Library include: 

  • Free internet access. 
  • Free computer classes for seniors in the month of May. 
  • Castlebar Book Club meetings. 
  • Participation in the Musical Lending Scheme, which allows thousands of musical instruments to be borrowed each year. It is the only scheme of its kind in Ireland and the UK. 
  • A national library delivery service that allows books from any library in the country to be delivered within 2 days. 

  Opening Hours:  

  • Tuesday-Wednesday 10am – 8pm 
  • Thursday-Friday 10am – 5pm 
  • Saturday 10am – 4pm 

  For more information visit the library website: http://www.mayolibrary.ie/en/FindABranch/Castlebar/ 

  Contact: 

  Darina Molloy 
  John Moore Rd, 
  Castlebar, 
  Co. Mayo, 
  Ireland. 
  +353 (0)94 9047955/9047936 
  Email: dmolloy@mayococo.ie 

• Opening Hours

  Castlebar Area Office, Áras an Chontae, The Mall, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, F23 WF90 

  Public Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 1pm & 2pm – 4.30pm. 

  Email: castlebarao@mayococo.ie 

  Phone: 094 9064050 

• Turlough’s National Museum of Ireland – Country Life & Turlough Playground 

  Turlough’s National Museum of Ireland – Country Life is home to Ireland’s National Folklife Collection, which is displayed across four floors of modern exhibition galleries and allows the museum-goer to experience a bygone way of life. The museum is part of a magnificent landscape, whose immaculate grounds also house the tranquil Victorian gardens and the historic Turlough Park House. This is truly a must-see for tourists or anyone with an interest in history and culture. 

  Opening Hours: 

  • Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm 
  • Sunday & Monday 1pm – 5pm 
  • Closed Christmas Day and Good Friday 

  Admission and Parking are free. 

  Those of you with children have no excuse not to take a trip to the grounds of Turlough House as the Turlough Community Playground is also located here! Officially opened in May 2018, the playground won the award for the Best Public Playground in the Southern Region at the Association of Landscape Contractors of Ireland ceremony in Belfast. It’s the perfect family outing!