Highwayman hanged on Green

Monday, 16 May 2011 10:57

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The name Harry Latters, Rush Street, has long been forgotten in Castlebar, but at one time he was one of the best known and most colourful characters in the town, a member of an old and respected local family.
He died after a lengthy illness in 1956 aged 60 years. As a young man he was badly beaten by members

of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Black and Tans.
Harry Latters was best known for taunting the RIC and the Black and Tans during trials of local political prisoners. Along with a number of other local youths, he was baton charged by Crown forces and chased through the streets of Castlebar before eluding their pursuers.
Harry Latters was nephew of Tommy and Jerry Mulvey, Castlebar, Mrs. Bruen (wife of Major Willie Bruen) and Mrs. Kilgarriff, Ballaghaderreen.

Michael Verdon's grave
Many people who visit the Old Cemetery, Westport Road, Castlebar, have asked me about Michael Verdon, whose remains are buried in a single plot to the right of the Calvary representation.
Michael Verdon practised as a solicitor in Castlebar for many years and died in 1944. He qualified with a law degree in Trinity College.
Michael was a son of Michael Verdon, solicitor, Dublin, and nephew of Malachy Kelly, Crown Solicitor, Castlebar, and of Patrick J. Kelly, solicitor. Malachy Kelly lived at Maryland, Castlebar.
Ernie O'Malley's father worked in Malachy's Kelly's office and Ernie was born in Ellison Street, Castlebar. He later played a prominent part in the fight for independence and wrote a number of books including On Another Man's Wound and The Singing Flame.

Castlebar Cavalry Barracks
Castlebar Cavalry Barracks was located close to where the local garda barracks now stands. In the early 1900s the cavalry barracks was a hive of activity. On occasions close on 1,000 soldiers were based in Castlebar. Each day the military personnel marched to the rifle range at Aughadrina.
It was, however, when they were drafted to Oranmore in Galway that the bustle and excitement took place on the day of their departure.
Relatives, sweethearts and hundreds of sightseers congregated at Rock Square, led by a brass band, with Colonel Jordan mounted on a splendid black horse. It was an impressive sight, indeed, with the roll of drums and stirring military marches.
I suppose you could say there was a love-hate relationship between the military and local people. The soldiers were a great boost to the local economy and indeed many local girls married them and moved to England when they finished their stint in Castlebar.
A point worth recalling. If members of the Royal Irish Constabulary decided on a raiding expedition to the local pubs on a Sunday, the sergeants' mess in the military barracks became a popular meeting place for thirsty local souls.
Sing-songs were a regular feature of those boozing sessions whilst the 'Peelers' searched in vain in the local pubs for illegal drinkers. Strange times indeed.

Notorious highwayman
The fine redbrick building opposite The Green, Castlebar, was originally a jail. At one time it was used as a bank and a nursing home, and the car taxation offices and design offices of Mayo County Council are now located there.
In 1798 the notorious 'Fighting' Fitzgerald was hanged from a tree close to the old jail.
What is not generally known is that a notorious highwayman named Keville was also hanged from a tree on The Green in 1819. Keville's body was left hanging from the tree for some months as a deterrent to other thieves. The skull of the corpse was then placed on a stake as a further warning to other would-be highwaymen.
Gruesome stuff, but this was a gruesome era in which justice was quickly dispensed with little or no questions asked.

A right royal occasion
Many Irish people have a soft spot for the royal family, though they will not always admit to it.
When King Edward and Queen Alexandra visited Killary harbour on July 30, 1903, hundreds of people travelled from Castlebar by post car and bicycle to get a glimpse of their majesties.
The Countess of Lucan presented a specimen of Castlebar homespun to the royal visitors, as one local wit remarked to 'keep her ladyship warm over the winter months'.
No doubt our Castlebar Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, will present an appropriate gift to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip when they visit this country. How about a Foxford rug to keep out the draughts at Buckingham Palace? No better man than Enda to do the business.
I am reminded of Tommy Gillespie's editorial in The Connaught Telegraph following Diana Spencer's marriage to Prince Charles, that we might yet see a Castlebar lady on the throne.
Lady Di's great-grandfather, Lord Spencer, was a judge in Castlebar over 100 years ago and presided over the infamous Maamtrasna murders case, one of the most disgraceful miscarriages of justice in Irish legal history.
Spencer Street, Castlebar, is named after Judge Spencer, who was related to Lord Lucan.

Glenisland's most eligible bachelor
Older readers will have fond memories of Broddie O'Toole from Glenisland, in his time one of the best-known and most popular residents of the area.
Broddie had one great love in life - dancing. He travelled high up and low down for a night on the dance floor.
Broddie was a regular in Thady Reilly's famous dance hall in Glenisland and he was a great hit with the girls. A fine specimen of manhood, Broddie always dressed well, and was a man of charm and decorum.
His attributes didn't go unnoticed either and he was chosen as the most eligible bachelor at a dance in Glenhest hall when his partner, Miss Killeen, aged 20, won the prize for wearing the most beautiful frock.
Broddie O'Toole was 71 years at the time. Now that's what I call putting it up to the young fellas.

Creshams of Main Street
There are a number of Cresham families in Castlebar whose roots go back several generations. Many of them have played leading roles in the progress and development of the county capital.
In the dim distant past Michael Cresham was one of Castlebar's leading businessmen in the town and specialised in confectionery products. His extensive shop was located on Main Street.
After his death Michael's son carried on the business for some years before emigrating to America to join his brother Rufus.
The Cresham premises were later occupied by Tom Cahill, chemist. It may well be that some of the current Castlebar Cresham families are related to the Creshams mentioned above.

Comments  

 

0 #1 martina hand 2011-08-04 16:37

Hello there my name is martina im looking for information on a highway man that was captured and hung in the Blackrock Market in South Dublin late 18th century ive looked everywhere and cant get any information im working on a project in the area and would like to include this information.

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