Recollections of two forgotten Mayo organisations

The Ancient Order of Hibernians and Irish National Foresters were very active

By Alan King

Today there are many clubs in Castlebar - but, back in the early 1900s, the leading organisations were the Irish National Foresters and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Castlebar Foresters (formerly the Emmet Centenary Branch) was a men only benevolent society established in 1903 with meetings held in the Foresters’ Hall, located in Market Square (where, later, Fiona’s Ladies Fashion Shop traded).

In return for a weekly subscription, members out of work due to illness would receive a weekly allowance, together with medical attention.

Founders of the branch included Thomas A. Wynne, known as the Chief Ranger, and Thomas Moclair, father of Mayo All-Ireland winning footballer Paddy Moclair.

The first medical officer was Dr. J.J. Hopkins whose family owned the land behind Ellison Street, known locally as Hopkins’ Field.

By 1905, they had over two hundred members enrolled. On certain occasions such as the St. Patrick’s Day parade, members would dress up in full regalia – embroidered uniforms, plumed hats with leggings - and march behind their own band. Peter A. Horkan, Castle Street, grandfather of the popular Sean Horkan, held the position of Grand High Chief Ranger of the Order in Ireland for several years.

The Foresters’ Hall later evolved into a social club with concerts, billiards and snooker amongst its activities.

The branch held an annual aquatic sports day on Lough Lannagh but by the late 1940s, it was in decline, whilst the hall was used by various political parties, sports clubs and other organisations. In 1948, it closed for the last time, but former members attended reunions in the town hall for years afterwards.

The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) was a Catholic, fraternal organisation, which emerged in Ulster at the end of the 19th century in opposition to the Orange Order.

It was closely associated with the Irish Parliamentary Party, with a national membership of 64,000 by 1909.

Members had to swear an oath which mentioned the phrase ‘suffer my right hand to be cut off before I betray a brother’.

In February 1912, a branch was opened in Castlebar, named the Michael Davitt Division, initially enrolling 63 members, with fortnightly meetings taking place in a building in Castle Street, believed to be the Erris Hotel.

Three months later, membership had risen to several hundred. The Castlebar Branch was founded by Prof. Samuel Fahy who taught at St. Muredach’s College, Ballina, for several years and the fee was fixed at 5s per year.

The first officer board was Patrick Timlin, president, Daniel Downes, vice-president, and Dr. Alfred Faulkner as medical officer.

In November, 1912, the president of Conradh na Gaeilge, Douglas Hyde (later to be the first President of Ireland), attended a conference in the town and addressed large crowds outside the hall. A year later, a Ladies’ Auxiliary Division was formed with rooms located in Newtown.

In October 1916, the Hibernians leased on Ellison Street, the former RIC Barracks building, and used it as their Hibernian Hall. Like the Foresters, it became a social club with activities such as debating and card playing.

They also held plays and dances in the town hall but by 1918, the Castlebar A.O.H. had faded away and the hall was sold shortly afterwards.

Two organisations, now just memories.

(Alan King is a member of the staff of Mayo County Library).