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Irish Independent
19-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Sustainable development plan for Mayo's Pontoon with ‘massive tourism potential'
Located between Lough Conn and Lough Cullin in North East Mayo, Pontoon used to be a busy spot. The area had two popular hotels, Healy's and Pontoon Bridge. Healy's Hotel suffered a fire and the building went derelict. In 2019 planning permission was granted to develop the building into a hotel, restaurant and bar, since the Covid pandemic work hasn't resumed on the site. Pontoon Bridge Hotel was built in the 1940s and extended in 2006. It was sold in 2017 and didn't reopen. Foxford-based councillor Neil Cruise, raised a motion at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council and laid out his plan for the Pontoon area to bring it back to life. The area includes Drummin Woods, Lough Conn and Lough Cullin. Cllr Cruise told the meeting there is a distinct opportunity at the minute and referred to the Pontoon area as a 'sleeping giant' that has 'massive tourism potential'. Cllr Cruise described a 'new beginning' with forest company Coillte. The semi-state company is responsible for 44,000 hectares of forest lands around Ireland. Cllr Cruise said they are 'very interested in working with us'. He called for interest groups to come together to help: 'I feel it is time that we can all come together, Coillte, Parks and Wildlife, local development groups, farming and fishing interests, walking groups and local tourism promoters. 'We have the development of the Foxford to Pontoon greenway, the Knockmore to Pontoon trail, and Pontoon to Castlebar greenway as far as Healy's Hotel. We have the refurbishment of the six-arch bridge in Cuing Mór, we have the development of forest walks, the beaches and shores of Lough Cullin, of Pontoon Bay, Schoolhouse Bay, Healy's Bay, and Pontoon Bridge lake access'. Development groups in the area were said to be 'itching to go' but need help to pull everything together. Cllr Cruise is proposing that the council develop a LIFE project for the Pontoon lakes, similar to the Lough Carra LIFE project in Castlebar. Cllr Alma Gallagher seconded the motion, describing Pontoon's unused natural resources as a 'missed opportunity'. Cllr Gallagher raised the issue of a 'county imbalance' saying resources are being invested in the same areas, mainly Westport, Ballina and Castlebar. The Ballyhaunis-based councillor pointed out that the majority of Mayo's population live outside of those towns and said there needs to be substantial policy change because 'East Mayo is being left behind'. The motion was also supported by a further eight councillors including Cllr Al McDonnell. He congratulated Cllr Cruise on his motion and offered a helping hand. 'There is a threat to water quality in every fresh water course in Ireland. We got together some years ago in an effort to save Lough Carra. An application was made to the LIFE project in Europe, after tremendous negotiation and lobbying to Europe we succeeded in getting a grant for €5 million over five years. 'If you want any assistance with that, or if your group wants to meet us, I can put you on the mailing list and you're very welcome to come to one of our meetings and we'll introduce you to some of the people who were successful in relation to our application.' This article was funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Irish Independent
14-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Mayo's N5 dual carriageway to close to allow grass cutting
The lack of hard shoulder on the €250 million road has resulted in the road being closed annually to allow the grass verges to be trimmed. In accordance with Section 75 of the Roads Act, 1993 and the Roads Regulations, the road will be closed for up to five nights between Monday July 14, Sunday July 27, 2025, between 7pm and 6am. The 20-kilometre route, which stretches from Turlough to Westport, will be opened early if works are completed early. Diversionary routes will be clearly signposted, as agreed with the Council and An Garda Síochána. Emergency access will be maintained. The N5 dual carriageway was opened in June 2023 by former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Construction began on the route in January 2020. It is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the history of County Mayo. Elsewhere, a number of other Mayo roads which underwent repair works have reopened. The L5750 Cunnaker/Carrowclogher/Ringarraun at Ballyheane reopened on Thursday, July 10. Meanwhile, the L-1801 Coast Road at Belcare and R310 Pontoon to Knockmore Road at the former Healy's Hotel are due to reopen on Friday July 11. In Swinford, a number of local roads will be closed to traffic to facilitate the annual Siamsa Sráide festival, which draws thousands of visitors to the east Mayo town. Parts of the N26 and R320 will be closed between 7.15pm and 8.15pm on July 31. From 1pm on Monday August 4 to 1am on Thursday, August 7, the R320, Market Street, from its junction with Station Road/Davitt Place to its junction with N26 Main Street, will be closed to traffic. Main Street and Bridge Street will be closed from 6am on Tuesday, August 5, to 1am on Thursday, August 7.
