Mayo town’s labour catchment ranks fifth largest in Western Region

Castlebar labour catchment is the fifth largest in the Western Region, that is, according to a new report by the Western Development Commission (WDC).

The Castlebar town labour catchment covers a large area but is mostly confined within the central area of Mayo and small areas in the west in areas such as Achill and Ballycroy.  

This is just one of the findings of the new WDC report, which has carried out in-depth research into the commuting patterns of those at work in the Western Region.

In 2022, there were over 16,900 people classified as at work and living within the Castlebar labour catchment, which is three times as many workers living in Castlebar. Since then, the town’s labour catchment has increased by 22 percent, or over 3,000 workers.

There are a number of smaller labour catchments within or near the Castlebar labour catchment including Swinford, Charlestown, Ballyhaunis and Claremorris.

Of those living in the Castlebar catchment, 38.1 percent are employed within the county town, with 62 percent employed outside the town in areas including Mayo Rural (24.9 percent), Westport (5.8 percent) and Ballina (3.1 percent).

Female workers account for a larger proportion of the workforce than male, making up 51.1 percent of employees in the area. 

Those at work and living in the Castlebar labour catchment have a higher rate of third level education than in 1996, with a figure of nearly 60 percent. 

‘Education, Human Health and Social Work’ and the ‘Wholesale, Retail and Commerce’ sectors are the largest employers, both proportions above the State average.

‘Manufacturing Industries’ is the third most popular sector, with the ‘ICT and Professional Services’ sector accounting for only 11.5 percent compared to 23 percent nationally.

Commenting on the findings, the CEO of the WDC, Allan Mulrooney called the information ‘very valuable’, providing ‘robust analysis of travel to work patterns in centres such as Castlebar’. 

“It will be of particular value to policy-makers in the context of the revision of the National Planning Framework and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies and County Development,” he concluded.

The full report can be read here.