‘Kit Carson’ lived on Spencer Street in Castlebar

By Tom Gillespie

SMALL, family-run grocery shops were aplenty around Castlebar in the 1950s and ‘60s.

There were several on every street and they were open all hours. They consisted usually of a front room being converted into a shop unit, with shelving on each wall jam-packed with a huge selection of items.

I was born on Spencer Street, Castlebar, where I resided until I was five, when the family moved to Marian Row.

Nevertheless, I retained lifelong friendships with many of those who I grew up with on Spencer Street.

The area was vibrant and with the County Cinema located on the street, the shops closer to the film house did a brisk business before the nightly film started and at the interval.

While there was a small shop in the foyer of the cinema, the shops across the street - Golden’s and Lyons’ - had queues of filmgoers eager to buy sweets, fruit and cigarettes.

In those days, customers of any age could buy loose cigarettes and the bank of thick smoke that rose to the cinema roof did not distract from what was happening on the big screen.

I am not a smoker, but like all young lads back then, I tried puffing some of the loose cigarettes, and thankfully never took up the habit after that.

Next door to the cinema was Mitchel’s pub, now the Connaught Inn. At the rear, in Mitchel’s yard, was a chicken and turkey production unit.

It was a favourite watering hole for McHale Road residents, as was Jim Kelly’s pub - now Gerry Tolster’s.

Where Cafe Rua is now located across the road was Reilly’s Green Olive pub. Directly across from the cinema, next door to Golden’s, was Rattigan’s - later Reilly’s and Cosgrove’s.

Pictured here is the late Nora Lyons in her Spencer Street shop with customer, the late Jackie Elliott, one of the most colourful characters ever in Castlebar.

You can see how tightly packed the shelves are and taking pride of place on the counter is Gavin’s bread.

Jackie Elliott was nicknamed 'Kit Carson' after the famous cowboy film star. Jackie was a daily caller to Mrs. Lyons so when he had not appeared for a few days, Mrs. Lyons became concerned, so much so that she rang the County Hospital to see if he had been admitted.

No, a Mr. Elliott had not been admitted, she was advised. But, as it transpired, Jackie was indeed a patient in the hospital, having signed in as Kit Carson.

Another story told of Jackie was when he rang the county hospital to enquire as to the condition of his mother.

‘She is sinking slowly,’ the nurse informed him. Jackie’s quick response was ‘Woman, I’m enquiring about my mother, not the God damn Titanic.’

Next door in Golden’s, Joe, Eileen or Peggy could be behind the counter as the queue formed. Golden’s was also a fine bakery where Paddy Golden produced the finest of fare.

His cream slices were to die for, while his mini loaves sold like hot cakes.

Further down the street was Gavin’s. Having been established in 1895, it is still going strong today under the watchful eyes of Shane Rodgers and his son Paul and their courteous staff.

Further up Spencer Street is McDermott’s Furnishers, which has been in operation since November 6, 1964, having been established by the late Michael and Eileen McDermott. Their son Micheal has extended the business into one of the biggest furniture stores in the west of Ireland.

Micheal has acquired several of the two-storey houses, built by Lord Lucan, on the opposite side of the street, into which he has extended his business.

Initially, the business started out as Julie Heneghan’s sweet shop. Julie was a grand-aunt of Eileen McDermott. It then became McDermott’s and at Christmas time a massive toy store was opened upstairs.

Next door was Sean and Mary Horkan’s shop which over the years became a garden centre and was the forerunner of Padraic Horkan’s famous garden centre at Turlough.

One feature of the street is Henry Downes' garage, the only one of its kind remaining in the town centre, which today is run by Henry’s son, Gabriel.

Tommy Robinson’s garage and petrol pumps is also a busy outlet on the street and was originally Jackie Elliott’s.

The garage was converted into the Plaza Cinema when the County Cinema, which opened in 1939, was burned down in the early 1950s, rebuilt and eventually closed down in 1999.

There were great characters employed at the cinema, among whom were Willie Ainsworth, McHale Road, Frank Guthrie, McHale Road, Jack Flanagan, McHale Road, John (Botha) Roach, McHale Road, Pat Flanagan, Newtown, Larry Cresham, McHale Road, James Halligan, Lucan Street, Kathy Dever, Station Road, Angela Colgan, Curragh, Joan McDonnell, McHale Road, Tony Gibbons, Derrycoosh, Brian Guthrie, Riverdale Court, Kathleen McCormack, Charles Street, Mai Gavin, Charles Street, John Heraty, Cloonkeen, Pat Concannon, Newport Road, Nuala Armstrong, Newtown, P.J. Madden (Fr. Meehan Place), Margaret O'Malley, Mary Rance, Joan Fallon, Patsy Fallon, Patsy Ainsworth, Sonny Guthrie, Martin Feeney Snr. (all McHale Road), and Pakie Kilcourse, Castle Street.

Today all the businesses on Spencer Street are proud of the street and have a series of flags and bunting erected to coincide with special occasions.