Plans to give historic laneway in Mayo town a makeover
Plans have been submitted to Mayo County Council to revitalise Dr Kathleen Lynn Lane and its adjoining courtyard in Ballina, by turning the area into a vibrant public space using nature-based solutions.
The HeriACT Project has submitted the proposal and is awaiting approval by the council for a section five permission.
The project, funded under the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, aims to promote the recognition of historical identity in towns across Europe by reactivating underused urban spaces.
HeriACT uses sustainable practices to create aesthetic public spaces where people can relax and socialise, while also helping communities celebrate their local heritage.
In Ballina, the focus is on Dr Kathleen Lynn Lane, which links O’Rahilly Street with Tone Street and the nearby Market Lane car park.
The 281 square metre area was identified as a pilot site by HeriACT. It was the subject of co-design workshops earlier this year involving Mayo County Council and local stakeholders.
If approved, the plan will use a combination of hard and soft landscaping to highlight the laneway’s natural features and, at the same time, encourage appreciation of its historical significance and namesake.
The plans include introducing two box planters as small-scale ‘tiny forests’ of native species, preserving and integrating the two existing trees into the layout. New seating will be put in, providing spaces for people to meet, relax, and enjoy the outdoors. Tables will be integrated with the seating, featuring QR codes that link to digital resources about Dr Lynn’s story and information on the HeriACT project.
Sustainability is key to the project. The laneway already has eco-friendly infrastructure, including a water refill station and solar-powered phone charging units. All new furniture would be made from recycled materials and treated wood. Existing bins will also be upgraded, featuring artistic frames created by a local artist.
Dr Kathleen Lynn, a pioneering physician and activist from Mullafarry near Killala, County Mayo, is one of the county’s most iconic historical figures.
She established Ireland’s first children’s hospital in 1919. She played a key role in eradicating tuberculosis through the rollout of the BCG vaccine.
Dr Lynn was the highest-ranking woman in the 1916 Easter Rising, serving as chief medical officer for the Irish Citizen Army at City Hall.
A proud suffragette and activist, Dr Lynn was also elected as an anti-Treaty Sinn Féin TD in 1923. However, she did not take her seat.
The HeriACT project recognised her story as one of care, resistance and social justice, three values that provided a powerful narrative for the regeneration of the laneway.
If permission is granted, the project will help to turn the laneway into a place that Ballina can be proud of, helping to create a space that celebrates one of Mayo’s most influential figures, while offering practical and sustainable benefits for the local community.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.