Neighbouring Mayo communities celebrating 'Royal' links

Imelda Staunton will be monarch of the acting world

NEIGHBOURING Mayo communities - Bohola and Ballvary - are celebrating ‘Royal’ links this month.

But they are of the cinematic rather than monarchical variety.

In the early 20th century, Bohola was the birthplace of Bridie McNicholas (later Staunton), mother of acclaimed actress Imelda Staunton, OBE.

And Ballyvary was the birthplace of Imelda’s dad, Joe Staunton.

Both were first generation Catholic immigrants to Britain.

Their daughter’s already stellar acting career reached further stratospheric heights some weeks ago when it was officially announced she would be playing The Queen in the fifth Netflix series of The Crown.

Old-timers in Bohola and Ballvary who remember Imelda’s mum and dad before they departed these shores say they are delighted with the local connection to the new ‘monarch’.

"If they were alive today both Bridie and Joe Staunton would be immensely proud of what Imelda has achieved," one said.

Bridie became a hairdresser in London while Joe was a labourer.

In a recent interview, Imelda, an only child, born in 1956, recalled that every year during her childhood her parents travelled home to Mayo to see old friends.

Also other relatives from Ireland regularly travelled from Ireland in the 1950s and '60s to visit the family in their small flat in Islington, London.

In one interview Imelda described her hard-working mother as 'a touchstone’ for many of the characters she has played over the decades.

Bridie arranged for Imelda to attend a private convent school and attend ballet and dance classes.

The Netflix role as Queen Elizabeth is arguably the pinnacle of an illustrious acting career for the now 65-year-old.

The many prestigious roles she has landed so far include Vera Drake and the Harry Potter film series.