Social Democrats leader tours Castlebar with local election candidate

SOCIAL Democrats leader Holly Cairns has visited Castlebar alongside the party’s local election candidate, Aidan Browne.

Ms Cairns accompanied the Lahardane native to the Linenhall Arts Centre, which has been reported to be at risk of closure due to financial difficulties.

Mr Browne, who is standing in the seven-seat Castlebar Electoral Area, said the closure of the arts centre would be ‘a serious setback for the area’.

“The council has slashed the budget for the arts centre, leading to fears it may have to cease operation,” he said.

“I attended a public meeting last year at the TF Royal, where local musicians and performers pleaded for more venues and community spaces in Castlebar. The loss of the arts centre would be a serious setback for the area and would almost certainly damage Linenhall Street, which has become the centre of Castlebar’s nightlife.

“All of this ties into a wider point that Holly and I are concerned about – the amount of dereliction and vacancy in the area. If the arts centre goes under, it will result in another important building in the town being left empty,” he added.

“We must tackle the perception that Castlebar is being hollowed out as it will hurt investment in the town.” 

Speaking at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar, Ms Cairns said Mr Browne ‘would make a fantastic councillor for Castlebar and would work tirelessly on behalf of the local community’.

The Social Democrats are running more than 50 candidates in the local elections across the country.

Mr Browne, who works in media production, is their only candidate running for Mayo County Council.

The centre-left party currently has six Dáil TDs and 22 local authority seats.