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At the beginning of the 19th century, Salthill began to develop as a tourist destination. People found the salt air invigorating and the sea was a huge attraction, not just for swimming or paddling, but also for its curative powers. It was thought to have medicinal powers, and so local people began to take advantage of this wonderful asset beside them to possibly make some money.

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.

I n the late 19th century women and girls rarely swam in the sea. It was considered unseemly. Yet in the belief that sea water was good for the skin, hotels and guest houses along the seafront at Salthill proudly offered sea baths, and 'showers' which could be enjoyed in any weather.