Essential Ireland > County Mayo > Castlebar
Castlebar is the county town of County Mayo and is positioned at the heart of this west-Ireland region. It is a busy and bustling market town and the market formed the mainstay of the economy for many years in the past. Found in the Connaught province, Castlebar is one of the major towns in the region after Galway and it is the most populous town in the county, although Ballina is larger geographically.
The County Mayo town of Castlebar grew up around a castle and subsequently a garrison and this has meant something of a military-based history. The Irish for Castlebar means Barry’s Castle and it was due to the town’s position near the historic Barra Castle that this name arose. A military garrison was placed in the town and this still exists today although it has ensured armed conflict has been a recurring theme over the years. In 1798 during the Irish rebellion the English garrison was routed and this led to the introduction of the short-lived Republic of Connaught.
Sometime before this, in 1613, a town charter was received under King James I but it was not until the second half of the 20th century that the growth of Castlebar really took off, with plenty of population expansion. Christchurch is one of the town’s oldest buildings and dates back to the year 1739 when its first foundation stones were laid. Meanwhile, trains first passed through the town’s train station in 1862.
Near to Castlebar in west Ireland are Lough Mallard, Lanagh Lough and Islandeady Lough while in the town itself is McHale Park which hosts Gaelic football matches. Also in the town centre is the County Life section of the National Museum of Ireland, the Linenhall Arts Centre and the Royal Theatre and Events Centre which can hold up to 2,000 people seated.
Of final note are the town’s festivals: the International Four Days’ Walk began in 1967 and takes place during the summer annually; another popular event is the Castlebar Blues Festival which is held at the beginning of June.
The County Mayo town of Castlebar grew up around a castle and subsequently a garrison and this has meant something of a military-based history. The Irish for Castlebar means Barry’s Castle and it was due to the town’s position near the historic Barra Castle that this name arose. A military garrison was placed in the town and this still exists today although it has ensured armed conflict has been a recurring theme over the years. In 1798 during the Irish rebellion the English garrison was routed and this led to the introduction of the short-lived Republic of Connaught.
Sometime before this, in 1613, a town charter was received under King James I but it was not until the second half of the 20th century that the growth of Castlebar really took off, with plenty of population expansion. Christchurch is one of the town’s oldest buildings and dates back to the year 1739 when its first foundation stones were laid. Meanwhile, trains first passed through the town’s train station in 1862.
Near to Castlebar in west Ireland are Lough Mallard, Lanagh Lough and Islandeady Lough while in the town itself is McHale Park which hosts Gaelic football matches. Also in the town centre is the County Life section of the National Museum of Ireland, the Linenhall Arts Centre and the Royal Theatre and Events Centre which can hold up to 2,000 people seated.
Of final note are the town’s festivals: the International Four Days’ Walk began in 1967 and takes place during the summer annually; another popular event is the Castlebar Blues Festival which is held at the beginning of June.