After the success recently in Castlebar of community and festival days, the traders of Rush Street, Castlebar, have decided to host their own special day. In association with Mayo Heritage Week, they will be bringing back for one day only, the traditional bonamh and farmers’ market that took place for years every Saturday morning on Rush St.
This promises to be a great day of fun for everyone, as they will host a heritage day around this. There will be a thatcher, a wood turner, a tinsmith, and many more crafts people demonstrating on the day. Castlebar Men’s Shed will have their forge set up and will be showing their skills on the day.
There will be an opportunity for people to have a go at the old games of pitch and toss, skittles, etc. A busking competition will take place throughout the day with cash prizes for first, second, and third places. Food vendors will join in the fun and the centre piece will be a pig on the spit. On display also on the day will be traditional artefacts, old cars, and old tractors and farm machinery. This promises to be a terrific day and will reflect the history of Castlebar. CRC FM will broadcast on the day from Rush Street.
Castlebar locals remember the market fondly. One source says Rush Street is so called because rushes were spread on the road to absorb the droppings of the animals. The calf market was centred around the Rush St/Charles Street area long after the original fairs ended. The bonamh market was intermingled with the calf market. A baby chick market was held as well as a dilisk stall on the bridge. Large trucks full of clothes used to park and sell the stuff off the back.
The organisers would love to hear from people who might have photos from that time or any memories of the market. If you took part in the market and would like to take part in the broadcast, contact (094 ) 9024845 or email [email protected]. People wishing to take part in the day itself should contact the above also but space is very limited.
