Boarded-Out Children

Fri, Jun 10, 2022

Sarah Shaughnessy was ten years old when she gave evidence and allowed herself to be subjected to cross-examination in the trial of William and Margaret Roche at Castlebar Petty Sessions on 14 June 1916. The case is remarkable for Sarah's courage and the insights it gives us into the system of boarding out workhouse children.

Walk, wheel or run to support St Anthony’s new sensory rooms

Sat, Jun 04, 2022

St. Anthony’s Special School in Castlebar is growing and expanding with the provision of a brand new two-classroom extension due to open in September 2022.

Verdict of ‘accidental death’ returned in R116 inquest

Sat, Jun 04, 2022

A verdict of accidental death has been returned in the inquest into the deaths of the four members of the Irish Coastguard team who perished when their helicopter crashed in Blacksod Bay in March 2017.

Walker & Nihill's Distillery, Castlebar

Fri, Jun 03, 2022

In the spring of 1821, Laurence Nihill actively sought a partner for his Castlebar distillery. He offered an 'active role' in the business in return for a payment of between £1,000 and £1,500. The enterprise was located in what is now the car park between Main Street and Mill Lane.

The Kirk – Castlebar’s Presbyterian Church

Fri, May 27, 2022

Last Saturday, May 21, was the 158th anniversary of the opening of the Presbyterian Church on Lower Charles Street, Castlebar. Henry Todd of the firm Todd, Burns and Co of Henry Street Dublin laid the foundation stone on 31 July 1863. He performed a similar service at Roscommon earlier that day. Todd was a generous patron of the Presbyterian Church.

Legacies of a Galway slaveholder

Fri, May 20, 2022

A post-chaise was a four-wheeled, enclosed, horse-drawn carriage that was popular in the eighteenth century. The driver did not have a seat; he travelled on one of the horses. The necessary detail for the purpose of this account lies in the fact that there were windows to the front.

Faction fighting and duelling in County Mayo

Fri, May 13, 2022

Faction fighting and duelling were common in Mayo well into the 19th century. Duelling with swords or pistols was the preserve of gentleman and military men. On the other hand, faction fights were fought with sticks, clubs, stones, and other instruments of bludgeon by large numbers of people who gathered after Mass or at fairs, patterns, or other events.

Cavendish Lane and Spencer Street – Castlebar street names

Fri, May 06, 2022

Anyone who has watched 'The Duchess', the 2008 film adaptation of Amanda Foreman's excellent biography of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, will be aware of the sad parallels between the life of Georgiana and Lady Diana Spencer. Georgiana's maiden name was Spencer; she was Diana's four times great aunt. Spencer Street, Spencer Park and the former Spencer Park House took their names from the Spencer family. In 1781, Lady Lavinia Bingham, daughter of Charles Bingham, 1st Earl of Lucan, married George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer. George was Georgiana's brother.

Register of Births and Deaths – Castlebar fraud

Fri, Apr 29, 2022

In 1862 a Poor Law Inquiry was held at Castlebar into two serious allegations against Dr John Carter Barrett, Medical Officer at Castlebar Workhouse. Workhouse inmate Mary Howard alleged that Barrett had unlawful sexual intercourse with her.

Pills and Potions in County Mayo Newspapers

Fri, Apr 22, 2022

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, manufacturers of pills, ointments, elixirs, drops, and balms, used newspapers to promote their products. There are countless examples of medical advertisements in historic newspapers published in Mayo.

Sheean Hill – history and folklore

Fri, Apr 15, 2022

Across the length and breadth of Ireland, there are elevated sites that have captured the imagination of people over many centuries. Tara, Slane, and Loughcrew are some better-known examples. Croagh Patrick was on everyone's mind recently with the memorable 'Climb with Charlie' event.

Coroners and the Famine in County Mayo

Fri, Apr 08, 2022

Much of my work on the County Mayo Famine Deaths Database has focussed on inquests. Dr John Atkinson was the Ballina District coroner when the Famine took hold. Atkinson threw himself body and soul at the increasingly grim workload.

E-paper

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