Action sought on Mayo street that lost its name

RESIDENTS of an historic street in Castlebar are disappointed and confused by a move to erase its name.

They have called on the local municipal district to remove a street sign for Rathbawn Road erected at the location and replace it with a sign for its proper name, Gallows Hill.

The street, which leads to Rathbawn Road, has long been known Gallows Hill and people who grew up and live there don't want the name to be lost to history.

Its name refers to the fact there was formerly a gallows in the area.

According to the website Street Names of Castlebar, the gallows were used widely from Anglo-Norman times up until 1873 when Ned Walsh, the last man executed in Castlebar, was hanged for murdering his wife.

It further outlines that the name of the townland where the road lies is called Knockcroghery, which translates as ‘Cnoc an Crochaire’ which, in English, means ‘Hill of the Hangman’.

After the jail was built in Castlebar executions began to take place at the Mall, a short walk from the jail.

Representations were made to Councillor Michael Kilcoyne and he has raised the matter with officials of Castlebar Municipal District.

“It's very important the history of Castlebar is not airbrushed in this manner and I am hopeful of an early solution,” he stated.