Charlie Haughey’s big day in his native Castlebar

by Auld Stock

Strange how time passes so quickly.

It seems like only yesterday the then Taoiseach, Charles J. Haughey, unveiled two plaques on the house in Mountain View, Castlebar, where he was born.

The ‘joyous event,’ as Mr. Haughey described it, took place in 1980, forty-two years ago.

Some people questioned the fact that Haughey was born in the county town. However, Pat Jordan, church clerk, affectionately known as ‘Fr. Pat,’ quelled all doubts as to Mr. Haughey’s birthplace when he produced Charlie’s birth certificate, proving he was definitely baptised in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar.

‘Charlie is definitely a native of Castlebar, one of our own,’ Pat Jordan told The Connaught Telegraph, where he was pictured with a photograph of Charlie’s birth certificate.

Fianna Fáil supporters gathered in their thousands to watch Mr. Haughey unveil the plaques on the house where he first saw the light of day.

Included in the parade to welcome Mr. Haughey were party stalwarts Martin Sheridan, Turlough Road, Paddy Deasy, Rathbawn, Ted Ludden, Castle Street, Micksie Gannon, McHale Road, Councillor William Cresham, McHale Road, Paddy Prendergast, Turlough Road, John Kennedy, Newport Road, Martin Walsh, St. Bridget’s Crescent, Councillor Dick Morrin, Mons Terrace, Councillor Seán Horkan, Spencer Street, men who had played prominent roles in the development of Castlebar over the years.

Mr. Haughey was given a civic reception by the members of Castlebar Urban Council and jokingly remarked he had never lost his Castlebar accent.

Seán Horkan, who now lives in Turlough, won an Irish senior boxing title and also managed the Irish Olympic boxing team.

He now plays a prominent role in the development of Turlough where the Horkan family run a garden centre and restaurant.