283 derelict sites in Mayo: Councillors demand action amid shortage of cost-rental and affordable homes
Castlebar councillors have raised concerns over the growing number of derelict buildings in the town, describing their condition as “despicable.” They criticised what they called a “scandalous” lack of cost-rental and affordable housing in Mayo, insisting the council has to “move on these properties.”
The issue was raised by Cllr Ger Deere, who highlighted a derelict property on Ellison Street that had recently been repainted by a private individual. While praising the refurbishment of the former Ryan House, which he said now “looks fabulous”, Cllr Deere noted that only 20 yards away, there are council-owned properties that “look despicable”.
Cllr Deere informed the municipal meeting that Ellison Street was featured in a recent TG4 programme covering the launch of the Castlebar Gaeltacht Service Town Irish Language Plan. Calling the street the “worst street in the town”, he urged Mayo County Council to make improvements to their buildings, similar to the works that have been completed on the former Ryan House.
Cllr Deere also referred to Hill House on Mountain View Road, owned by the HSE, describing its condition as deplorable and said it was “letting down the whole town.”
These comments were supported by Cllr Gavin who called Hill House an absolute disgrace and stated that “the HSE should be ashamed of themselves.” He asked his colleague, Cllr Michael Kilcoyne, Vice Chair of the Regional Health Forum West, to raise the issue at the next meeting.
Cllr Kilcoyne, joking that he might paint the building himself, shifted focus to the broader issue of dereliction across the town. He pointed out that while a section of Mayo County Council inspects private rental properties to ensure they meet standards, “the same council, same organisation, owns the most derelict buildings in the town. Ultimately, the book stops with the Chief Executive, he’s the man responsible.”
In the council’s 2025 annual budget, Chief Executive Kevin Kelly stated that the council would “actively address dereliction across the county through the Derelict Sites process.” Mr Kelly estimated a total expenditure of €139,522 for derelict sites in 2025.
Cllr Harry Barrett also criticized the council’s approach, saying it is “not taking the issue of derelict houses seriously.” Referring to a long-vacant property on Newport Road as “the Taj Mahal of dereliction in Castlebar,” he highlighted the lack of cost-rental and affordable housing in the town. “Working families are struggling to pay rent, people who are retired are struggling to pay rent. We have to move on these properties. To have a major site like that vacant in our town is just not right,” he said.
Currently, 283 derelict sites are listed on the official register in Mayo. Of these, 41 are located within the Castlebar Municipal District, 39 in the Westport and Belmullet area, 113 in the Claremorris and Swinford district, and 90 in the Ballina area.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.