Works will conserve historic Mayo courthouse building

WORKS to conserve the historic courthouse and Market House building in Ballinrobe are progressing, with the entire property now under council ownership.

The focus at the moment is on conservation and preservation of the property, local councillors were told in an update on where the courthouse project is at.

A building of national importance, progress on refurbishment works has been slower than hoped for, until the acquisition of the Market House was finalised earlier this year and the council got the keys to the bar on the ground floor. Asbestos will be removed in the next couple of weeks, councillors were told in an update at the monthly Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District meeting.

A drone survey of the roof has been conducted, and it's in good condition but needs some maintenance works, like an issue with the front gutter.

The next phase will advance works to ensure the structural integrity and conservation of the structure. A condition report is needed for the whole property, striping out items which aren't of historical importance, and then stabilisation works.

The initial wish list also includes removing the render to the front and pointing the wall.

A meeting has taken place with Ballinrobe Archaeological and Historical Society, who are interested in the building. The council view is that multiple use would be best for the property and different partnerships will be explored.

Members were told this phase won't deliver a turnkey project - it's looking after the building as such. Funding will have to be applied for when the partners are known and future works to get it open.

Councillor Patsy O'Brien looked forward to the works and having the building right before people get involved to go further with it, but they are on the right road now with it, he said.

The upstairs courthouse was 'second to none'. You wouldn't have anything like it any place if it was restored and it would be a huge game changer, he commented.

Councillor Damien Ryan welcomed that they now own the building in its entirety and it's important money is spent on conservation and preserving it for what future use that may entail. That €700,000 is being spent in Ballinrobe is welcome, he said, and it will have a big impact on the building.

A public-private partnership development was suggested as the way forward by Councillor Michael Burke. The courthouse upstairs would probably belong to the heritage people, but downstairs has great potential for other use.

Commenting generally on protected buildings, Councillor Richard Finn said government needs to come up with funding for developers to make it viable for them to preserve, repair and bring them back into use.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme