Memory of Major General George O’Malley should be honoured
THE striking statue of Major General George O’Malley, located at Christ Church, Castlebar, seriously needs attention and could well do with sandblasting and having his broken sword repaired or replaced, writes Tom Gillespie.
I recall, some years ago, blackguards daubed the statue with black paint or tar, an act that was condemned by all sections of the community.
The statue enjoys a commanding location at Christ Church - the oldest building in the county town - having been built in 1739.
The foundation stone, situated inside the main gate, was laid in 1739. The church was renovated in 1828 and in the 1970s. The churchyard contains the gravestone of the Fraziers Fencibles, a Scottish regiment killed in action in 1798 after the Races of Castlebar. This is the only authentic remnant of the 1798 period left in the town.
None of the Lord Lucans are buried here as their remains were sent back to England.
The church was badly damaged during the rebellion of 1798 and was not rebuilt properly until 1829. A wall was also erected for protection that secures the church even to this day.
The church's interior is an excellent record of Castlebar from 1590 to 1914.
Major General O’Malley was a member of an aristocratic family who resided at Ballinvilla and who served with the British Army in North America, Egypt and around the Mediterranean. He was wounded twice in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. He died in 1847 and is buried in the family burial plot in Murrisk Abbey.
O’Malley was a volunteer in the Castlebar yeomanry when the town was attacked by the French under General Humbert on August 27, 1798, and was also present when the town was attacked a fortnight later by a strong rebel force, which was defeated by the yeomanry and a company of Fraser Fencibles.
He was confirmed as a lieutenant in the Castlebar yeomanry by Lord Cornwallis in recognition of his services, and soon after joined the North Mayo militia, from which he brought volunteers to the 13th foot.
He was appointed ensign on February 23, 1800, served with the 13th at Ferrol and in Egypt, where he was severely wounded in the action of March 13, 1801, and afterwards at Malta and Gibraltar.
For his success in recruiting in Ireland he received a company in the new second battalion 89th foot on April 25, 1805, and served with it until Colonel Henry Augustus (afterwards 13th Viscount) Dillon or Dillon-Lee raised the 101st foot, in which O'Malley was appointed major.
By his activity and local connection in Mayo he assisted materially in forming the regiment.
He served with it in Ireland and Jersey, and was despatched with 300 men to St. John's, New Brunswick, in 1808, when war with the United States was imminent, and the Americans were collecting a large force near that place.
For his services in command of that garrison for 11 months, and the exemplary conduct of the troops under his command, he received the freedom of the city on July 19, 1809.
As major, he afterwards commanded the regiment for four years in Jamaica, obtaining the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel on June 4, 1813. The regiment was disbanded as the 100th in 1817.
His repeated applications for employment in Europe were unsuccessful, but on June 12, 1815, he was appointed to the 2nd battalion 44th foot, and commanded it in Picton's division at Quatre Bras and Waterloo.
On June 15 the battalion lost very heavily, being reduced to five officers and 200 men.
O'Malley was twice wounded and had two horses shot under him, but did not leave the field.
He commanded the battalion in France until it was disbanded in 1816, when he was placed on half-pay.
He was appointed major 38th foot on August 12, 1819, and lieutenant-colonel 88th Connaught Rangers on June 2, 1825.
He commanded that corps, which he had in a fine state of discipline, until promoted major-general on November 23, 1841. He died in London on May 16, 1843, and is buried in the family burial plot in Murrisk Abbey
The stone statue of General O’Malley is placed in a fence with large stone corner pillars, of which the two at the front have a coat of arms and the names of O'Malley's battles.
The inscription reads: ‘To the memory of Major General George O’Malley who expired in London on the 16th of May 1843 in the 63th year of his age and whose mortal remains are deposed in the family burying place at Murrisk Abbey.
‘This statue erected by a numerous circle of his naval military and civil friends among whom are the members of the friendly brothers of Saint Patrick as a small tribute of their esteem and affection. He served his country in Egypt, North Americas, the West Indies, the Mediterranean and he commanded the 2nd battalion of the 44th reg. at Waterloo where he was twice wounded and subsequently for many years commanded the 88th reg. of Connaught Rangers. He was a good and pious Christian, a zealous and excellent soldier and sincere and firm friend.’
Perhaps, 221 years on from the Races of Castlebar, on this day, August 27, the memory of Major General O’Malley could be honoured by having the statue restored to its original glory.
* Read Tom Gillespie's A Mayo Outlook column in our print edition every Tuesday