Charlestown, County Mayo

Charlestown (), once named Newtown-Dillon or Ballycattell, is a town in the Barony of Costello, County Mayo, Ireland. It is located at the intersection of two National Primary routes, the N17 and the N5. Until the N5 bypass opened in November 2007, traffic congestion was a problem in the town. The busy N17 still passes through the town.

History

Charlestown was built in the middle of the 19th century, on the initiative of Lord Dillon's agent, Charles Strickland, adjoining Bellaghy in County Sligo. The town has now a population of approximately 800 people. The town is well planned with wide open streets and parking facilities. Located on the intersection of two National Primary routes, the N17 and the N5, Charlestown is an ideal stopover or centre to stay and visit other locations.

There are two schools in Charlestown, one primary school and one secondary. The convent was set up under the Marist order and some remnants still remain as part of the school's heritage (i.e.: their crests are an emblem of the Marist doctrine-meaning All for Jesus through Mary. Currently there are just over 400 students in the school.

The village was the subject of a serialised social commentary in the Irish Times by John Healy. This was later published as Death Of An Irish Town, and later republished as No One Shouted Stop! Written in 1967, it was highly critical of government policies towards rural areas, and took Charlestown as an example solely because it was the town of the author's......
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