Our Community… visit Castlebar

At Dental Care Ireland, we are proud to be an integral part of communities around Ireland. In this first edition of “Our Community”, we visit Castlebar, Co Mayo

Castlebar enjoys a central location in Co Mayo, and boasts plenty of heritage, history and scenic beauty. Castlebar is named after the Norman adventurer De Barrie, who founded a castle here in 1235. It later became a garrison town and is now one of Connacht’s main hubs.

Dental Care Ireland opened its practice on Station Road in Castlebar in March 2015. Formerly McHugh’s Dental Practice, it has strong links with the community and is well known among locals. Here, we talk to practice manager Michelle Stenson about the town, its attractions and why people should visit Castlebar.

Describe the location of Dental Care Ireland in Castlebar.

We’re not quite in the middle of the town, which means we really benefit from low traffic density. We’re located close enough to McDermott’s furniture. The middle of town itself is about a five-minute walk away. There is lots of parking outside our practice, which is so handy. We’re on the road to Dublin, so it’s easy for people to find us.

Do you have a favourite coffeeshop and/or lunch spot?

Café Rua is a nice spot, as is McHugh’s for the tastiest sandwiches and hot chocolate in Castlebar. Gavin’s and the Irish House pub are also worth checking out – the Irish House does the best soup around!

What you recommend tourists to the area check out?

There are plenty of reasons to visit Castlebar. The Wild Atlantic Way is fantastic and it’s right on our doorstep. Lough Lannagh is an absolutely gorgeous lake with really nice walks. Turlough House is a little further out, but is also worth seeing. There’s a museum there with is popular with locals and tourists alike. As for restaurants, Lana serves great Asian street food.

Where are the good spots for a team drink after work?

Mick Byrne’s and McHale’s are pubs in the Main Street area – about a five-minute walk from our dental practice. Bar One is also popular with the younger crowd.

Do you go to see the local sports teams play?

It all revolves around the GAA up here: Breaffy and Castlebar Mitchels are the two local teams. If you visit Castlebar, it’s well worth catching a match!

Are there any famous people from Castlebar that you see about the place?

We see a fair few Mayo GAA players, like Aidan O’Shea. Enda Kenny also appears the odd time. Louis Walsh is from this area but I’ve never seen him here!

Is there something that everyone visiting Castlebar for the first time has to do?

There are no defined traditions, but I can’t recommend McHugh’s enough for its really great sandwiches and hot chocolates. There’s quite a bit of shopping in the town, with the likes of TK Maxx, Next and Penneys all here.

What makes Castlebar a great place to work/live?

There’s a really good town spirit here and people are so friendly. If you’re stuck, someone will help you out – it doesn’t matter whether you’re in the town for the first time or you’ve lived there your whole life. There has been a lot of work done to improve the town especially on Main Street and the tidy towns committee work very hard to keep the place looking great. It’s just fantastic to see Castlebar buzzing like it is.

You can book an online appointment in our Castlebar practice – and in any other practice around the country – quickly and easily. Just click this link for more information or call the practice directly on 094-9022317.