Weeding is a root cause for many gardeners' distress in Mayo and beyond.

Castlebar Tidy Towns are aiming at weeding out the hard work by acquiring a new machine that will make life a lot easier for them. 

The organisation have introduced the Limpar Street Weeder – a powerful, chemical-free machine designed to tackle weeds, moss, and other unwanted growth in an environmentally responsible way.

READ: 'Heartbreak' - Mayo people react after popular eatery is forced to close

A challenge for Mayo County Council 

The new machine was generously sponsored by Gene McConway of McConway Construction. “I’m building homes in Castlebar and getting great support from the community, so this is my way of giving back,” Gene said.

While in many areas it's best to let nature thrive, weeds in certain areas detract from the visual aspect of the town. Weed control is a constant challenge for Mayo County Council, Castlebar Tidy Towns, and local homeowners.

Traditional herbicides are harmful to the environment but the Limpar Weeder offers a sustainable solution, using an oscillating brush system to remove weeds from the root without chemicals.

READ: 'Magic in life’ - Brother's touching tribute to Mayo man who died in hiking accident

Powered by a robust Honda engine, the machine is ideal for uneven surfaces, with adjustable height settings and a guide bar for accuracy. It’s easy to manoeuvre and significantly reduces the time and effort needed to clear paths, kerbs, and laneways — all while protecting the local ecosystem.

Alan Mee, Chairperson of Castlebar Tidy Towns, expressed his appreciation: “We are extremely grateful to Gene and McConway Construction for this generous support. Partnerships like this are vital to helping us keep Castlebar clean, green, and welcoming.”

The machine will be shared between Castlebar Tidy Towns volunteers, Mayo County Council staff (Castlebar Municipal District), and local residents' groups, as part of Tidy Towns’ commitment to empowering communities across Castlebar to care for their surroundings.