Where to get free Christmas parking in County Mayo this festive season
Shoppers in County Mayo are in for a festive treat this Christmas, as all four municipal districts have announced their holiday parking arrangements.
To make the season a little less stressful and a lot more enjoyable, free parking will be available in various council-owned car parks across the county, giving locals and visitors extra time to enjoy their Christmas shopping.
This year, local councillors opted to offer free parking across council-owned car parks from 8.30am to 12.30pm from Friday, December 5, until Sunday, December 27 2025.
This includes parking in Market Square, Castle Street, Spencer Street, and Pavilion Road car parks. Parking charges will resume from 12.30pm. On-street parking and the Dunnes Stores car park will remain unchanged.
The change from previous years, when free parking was available each afternoon from 2 pm, follows feedback from traffic wardens highlighting operational challenges.
Afternoon parking led to severe congestion in car parks, with queues onto adjoining streets. Free afternoon parking was scarce, as early arrivals occupied spaces all day.
Additionally, it was noted that an overlap with school finishing times contributed to further traffic delays in the town.
The Ballina Municipal District has, once again, agreed to offer free parking across all its car parks from 2pm every day on Monday, December 8, until Wednesday, December 31.
This includes car parks on Humbert Street, Bachelors Walk, Emmett Street, Barrett Street, Market Square, Pearse Street and Teeling Street.
Pay-and-display parking will apply from 9.30 am to 2 pm, while on-street parking charges remain in place all day.
A proposal to extend free parking from 9.30 am was rejected over concerns that workers would occupy spaces early, leaving fewer spots for shoppers.
Officials said the free parking initiative is designed specifically to support local businesses and shoppers during the busy festive period.
Councillors agreed to provide free parking in all public car parks, all day from Thursday, December 4, until Sunday, January 4. On-street parking charges will operate as usual throughout the month.
This includes the Westport car parks, James Street, Mill Street, and High Street. The car parks in Belmullet are in Barrack Street, Carter Square, Main Street and American Street.
Free parking will be available in Claremorris and Ballinrobe public car parks from 2pm onwards on Monday, December 8, until Wednesday, December 31. On-street pay-and-display parking will continue to operate as usual.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.