Memories of Mayo man of music and song Michael Basquille

by Auld Stock

MICHAEL Basquille, Newport Road, Castlebar, had a nice tenor voice and was a lovely musician.

He was a member of Castlebar Concert Band, Mayo Concert Orchestra and Mayo Male Voice Choir up the time of his death some years ago.

He had a keen interest in local history and had a special interest in Castle Street and its people.

In an interesting article in Castlebar Parish Magazine many years ago he mentioned the name of a Mrs. Thompson whose maiden name was Canton.

Mrs. Thompson’s grandmother and her brother carried a wounded French soldier to a home on Main Street where the Connolly family later lived for many years.

This was during the 1798 Rising and the Races of Castlebar. General Humbert called to see the wounded man and uttered the words ‘Vive la France’ (long live France).

One of the Canton girls married the French soldier and returned to live in France.

The couple had two daughters who later joined the nuns. They sent gifts to Mrs. Thompson in Castlebar.

One of the gifts was a Rosary beads which Mrs. Thompson gave to Michael Basquille’s mother when she was a young girl.

I remember Mrs. Thompson when she lived with the Basquille family on McHale Road. Even in her old age, Mrs. Thompson was an elegant, handsome lady.

Mrs. Basquille (née Morahan) was married to William Basquill, a carpenter by trade, a master craftsman and a member of Castlebar fire brigade for many years.

In addition to Michael, the Basquilles had two other sons, Paddy, treasurer of Mayo GAA Board, and Wally, a carpenter who lived in England for many years.

Michael and Wally Basquille were fine boxers.

Wally fought as a professional boxer for many years with much success.

Michael was a noted amateur boxer, winning a number of titles.

I was delighted to learn that the new hall at the Music West facility at Breaffy Road Retail Park, Castlebar, is named in his honour as it was one of his dreams to build the facility.