Sign-posting Mayo's heroes and heroines - let's do it
by Auld Stock
COUNCILLOR Ger Deere made a valuable point at a meeting of Castlebar Municipal District when he highlighted the fact that signposting in the Castlebar area was totally inadequate and out of date.
For instance, the sign indicating Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar, describes the centre as Mayo General Hospital.
Some years ago I regularly visited Co. Clare and one of the things that struck me was that every nook and cranny and each local landmark was highlighted with modern signposting.
The late Thomas John Flaherty was a proud Islandeady man and many years ago led a campaign to have each townland in the village of Islandeady adequately signposted.
When Thomas John put his mind to an idea he stuck with it until success was achieved.
The signposts in Islandeady were financed by the local community council and are in line with national standards.
The Tourmakeady ambush was recently commemorated by a local committee with a fitting ceremony honouring a number of local men who lost their lives in the ambush.
Well done to the local committee on a splendid achievement. Radió Telifís Éireann gave excellent coverage to the commemoration ceremonies and Pat McGrath was on hand to give a description of the ceremonies, including interviewing a number of local people.
However, I could not help but notice the signpost indicating Tourmakeady is in poor condition.
I might add this is in no way the fault of the local people.
Westport should have proper signposting; the town was voted the town most Irish people would wish to live in.
The town is the birthplace of Major General John McBride, executed for the part he played in the 1916 Rising.
In more modern times, Tommy Brennan was founder of the international sea angling festival in Westport and a leading light in promoting soccer in the town, a great community man.
Tommy played soccer with Chesterfield in England and was known as 'Bullet' Brennan because of his great striking power.
The same should apply to Castlebar, recently designated a university town.
Castlebar is the birthplace of Margaret Bourke Sheridan, in her time one of the leading sopranos in the world of opera.
The town is also the birthplace of Louis Brennan, world-famous inventor, and Stephen Garvey, bandleader and producer of operas. Val Doonican, later to become an international star, started his career with Stephen Garvey. Tommy Gavin, a wonderful tenor, was born in Main Street, Castlebar.
Ballina, with its famous River Moy, should be properly posted. Mary Robinson, Ireland’s first female president, should also feature on the hoardings.
I have mentioned the three major towns in Mayo not in any way to overlook the other towns and villages in our county.
All have their unique qualities with their sons and daughters having attained international status.
Straide, for example, is the birthplace of Michael Davitt, co-founder of the National Land League, along with James Daly, editor of The Connaught Telegraph. William O’Dwyer, Mayor of New York, was born in Bohola, as was Martin Sheridan, winner of several Olympic medals.
If the task of erecting hoardings cannot be carried out by Mayo County Council, perhaps the Chambers of Commerce in our larger towns might consider undertaking the task.