ATU Mayo hosts well-attended seminar on historic Mayo houses

A capacity crowd attended a workshop in ATU Mayo which heard contributions from a variety of experts about the past, present and future of Mayo’s ‘big houses’.

Dr Ciaran Reilly (Maynooth University), Dr Michael O’Connor (Independent scholar), Dr Fiona White (ATU, Mayo), Noel Campbell (National Museum of Ireland), Chris Huxley (Lough Carra Catchment Association), Kate McAney (The Vincent Wildlife Trust) and Robert Coyne (Mayo County Council) who spoke on a variety of topics; from landlords connections with the slave trade to modern day projects like Moore Hall.

Speakers and attendees at ‘The Big House: Past, Present and Future’ engaged with a questions and answers forum chaired by Cllr Al Mc Donnell and Justin Sammon. Speakers highlighted the rich and sometimes controversial historical significance of these sites, their reuse in the present as sites of education and public service and the incredible biodiversity that can be found inside the house and their surrounding environs.

Dr Fiona White (Programme Chair of the BA Hons in History and Geography, ATU Mayo) said that the seminar ‘highlighted the importance of the ‘Big House in Ireland’ as a place of significant architectural, cultural and natural heritage.’

“The fact that the event was fully booked demonstrates the public’s interest in the topic and supports the argument for further funding and protection of these sites for future generations to enjoy,” said Dr White.