Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, Councillor Ollie Gannon, said that the bank garden in Westport—an 18th century walled garden located behind the former Bank of Ireland building on the Mall—should be bought by the council as it would be a “huge attraction to the local, domestic, and international market” and would be a “shining legacy”.
“Westport is a heritage town and this is one of the last heritage gardens in the county,” he said.
Cllr Brendan Mulroy said that the council rezoned the bank garden land and there now seems to be a moral dilemma if the council is going to buy it.
Town manager Martin Keating said that he had no idea this matter would be discussed at the meeting and was not fully aware of the background to the zoning of the land. Mr Keating said that the town council meeting was not the “appropriate forum” to discuss the issue. He added that the council does not have a “pot of money” to purchase the garden.
Cllr Gannon said that the town council “should have an obligation to do all we can to save the garden”.
