In November 1824, the Church Wardens of Castlebar sought proposals from contractors to build a new church. Plans were displayed at the house of the Revd. William Smith.
Proposals were to be received by 1 January 1825. The first task for the contractor was the removal of the existing church that dated back to 1739. The project was well underway in June when a stone fell from the steeple of the old church. It struck a day labourer, severely fracturing his skull. He was taken to the Mayo Infirmary next door. Despite the efforts of surgeon Henry Keane of Bloomfield, the stricken man died. The old church was removed, and the new church – Christchurch, completed.
On Monday, 21 January 1833, Christchurch caught fire – the flames spread rapidly. There were fears that it would be lost. It was saved by Colonel Hare and a party of the 27th (Inniskilling ) Regiment of Foot using the Infantry Barracks fire engine. On another January night, six years later, Christchurch faced a further threat and stood witness to widespread destruction and the burning of cabins across the town on Staball Hill. The night of Sunday 6-7 January 1839 would henceforth be known as the ‘Night of the Big Wind.’ The greatest storm in living memory imprinted itself on the psyche of the people of Ireland, folded itself into folklore, and became a reference point for those seeking to prove their age decades later, when the old-age pension was introduced.
The wind speed increased in the late afternoon and evening of 6 January, accompanied by heavy rain and hail. By midnight, the wind had reached hurricane force. It left a trail of destruction and death across the country. In Mayo, there was widespread destruction of property and lives were lost to falling trees, masonry, and buildings. Despite damage to stately homes, the press focussed on the plight of the many poor, left homeless when the storm levelled their humble dwellings. Few houses in Castlebar escaped damage, most lost slates, and many lost their roof. Five or six houses on Staball were burned. The remainder of the homes on Staball were secured by the 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers ) Regiment and the police, who, together, halted the progress of the flames. However, they could not save the many thatched roofs from the wind. The dark and perilous streets of the town were filled with cold and terrified people.
Neal Davis, agent to the Earl of Lucan, was in the process of boarding up a window of his home opposite Christchurch when he heard a loud noise coming from above. Anticipating what was about to happen, he sheltered himself in the recess of the window. The falling timber and slates tore his coat and slightly injured his face. His family was not injured as the roof was not taken from the part of the dwelling they occupied. Christchurch was also taking a beating. One of the pinnacles on the steeple was blown down. It missed the roof on the way to the ground and came to rest beside fallen slates. Some of the largest trees on the Mall and Lawn were toppled.
With the coming daylight, people could be seen gathering possessions from ruined houses and moving furniture rescued from the flames. No lives were lost in Castlebar. Westport suffered a similar fate, with most buildings in the town impacted. The home of Captain Higgins almost lost its roof while the barracks and hotel were damaged. Hundreds of trees were lost at Westport House, and buildings on the estate were damaged. Boats moored along the quay were broken.
The destruction did not dampen the spirits of the women of Staball. In May 1839, Corporal Edward Ryan of the 83rd Fusiliers led a small troop into Castlebar via Staball (photograph, Wynne ). A group of women, including Bridget McGinn, Elizabeth Beckett, and Catherine Joyce, opened fire on them with a hail of stones. In the engagement that followed, a deserter from the 87th Regiment escaped but was later retaken by the police. Beckett was beaten, and all three were charged with assault and rescue. The Redcoats prevailed on Staball.
