Mayo history: Ex-servicemen of the Great War allocated cottages

By Tom Gillespie

THE housing scheme executed in Castlebar by Mr. John P. McCormack for the Irish Sailors’ and Soldiers Land Trust had been completed and the houses had been handed over to the tenants, The Connaught Telegraph reported on Saturday, September 29, 1929.

Ironically, as I transcribe this article from the files of The Connaught Telegraph, I do so from one of the two-storey houses in question at number 6, Mons Terrace, Castlebar.

Ninety-six years ago this month the British ex-Servicemen were allocated the houses which were located, as the report stated, 'on an admirable site, amidst pleasant and picturesque surroundings, and convenient to the town. They are very substantial and comfortable, with every modern convenience, and have substantial gardens attached.

'In all there are eight, in four blocks, all of pretty design, and the entrances and front lawns are in keeping.'

Tribute was paid to Rev. Dean Joseph Jackson for his contribution to bringing to fruition of the long-delayed scheme.

The newspaper reported: When he came to Castlebar a few years ago he interested himself in the welfare of the ex-Servicemen, and as secretary and organiser of the local branch of the British Legion he was instrumental in resurrecting the housing scheme that had fallen through on a previous occasion.

The first part of the ceremony opened at the courthouse, where the selected tenants, who will be named later, attended to sign the agreements.

Those present were: Rev. J. Jackson, Rev. R.C. Crawford, Colonel Robinson, Messrs. A.C. Larminie, T.M. Quinn, T.S. Moclair, T.F. Durcan, chairman of the Urban Council, and John P. McCormack, the contractor.

Rev. Mr. Jackson mentioned that the business of that meeting was to have read the lease and agreement under which the cottages would be let, and the tenants selected would sign the agreements.

After the agreements were signed they would proceed to the cottages, and the keys would be delivered and formal possession given.

Colonel Robinson, the representative of the Soldiers and Sailors’ Land Trust, read the terms of the letting, viz: a weekly rent exclusive of rates, prohibition against sub-letting, taking in lodgers, exhibiting notices, erecting building, and using the premises for shops or workshops.

He said the tenants would be liable for all costs of repairs except ordinary wear and tear, also for neglect to sewerage.

There would be a charge of 10/- for the keys, to be refunded when the tenants decided to leave.

The tenancy would be determined on seven days’ notice on either side, and should expire on a Saturday. The usual statutory clauses ensued, and he mentioned that the tenancies would commence on the 28th inst.

Mr. J.P. McCormack, the contractor, informed the Colonel as to how the houses were numbered, and said he would ask him to warn the tenants to be careful about the sewerage arrangements. It was disposed through a four-inch pipe and they should be careful to see that youngsters did not lift the traps and allow obstructing matter.

Col. Robinson thanked Mr. McCormack and said that before he came in he informed the tenants that they wold be responsible for any cost incurred in looking after the sewerage works.

The agreements were then signed.

Those concerned then proceeded to the cottages, and prior to the handing-over ceremony Rev. Mr. Jackson said, before the houses were handed over, he wished on behalf of the ex-Servicemen of the town and district to return grateful thanks to the Land Trust for effecting such magnificent houses.

As they knew, when they went to fight in the Great War certain promises were made to them: one was that they would be given proper houses, and the erection of these houses was part of the fulfilment of the promise.

It was some years ago since the question of proper houses was started, and now that they were built they were very grateful to the Land Trust, and he was sure those selected to occupy them would care them and look after them to the best off their ability.

He knew from people in the town and the surrounding districts that the houses were greatly admired, and in that point he thought they should congratulate the builder and architect on the success of the scheme.

Sir Christopher Wrenn, who designed St. Paul’s Cathedral, had only a small stone erected to his memory, but the inscription on it said that if they looked around they would see his monument. He said they had executed a splendid job, and he thanked all concerned.

Mr. A.C. Larminie recalled that he remembered the Crimean War and took a living interest in it, as one of the officers concerned was the proprietor of the town and much of the district around, and commanded the cavalry.

Subsequently he entered into the employment, and served under his successors for three generations. During all that time he took great interest in the various troubles and wars Great Britain was concerned in, and was proud to say that some of the greatest officers in the army were Irishmen.

He thought they had a right to be proud of the country on the part it took in keeping the Empire in the position it today (1929) attains.

He said they were all very grateful to those concerned in the erection of the houses, which were a proof of gratitude to the men who fought.

Mr. T.S. Moclair, Co.C., said that the Rev. Mr. Jackson was primarily due the thanks for having the cottages erected. Ten or 11 years ago a housing scheme for ex-Servicemen had been matured, but through some local obstacles it fell through. Many regarded it as dead forever, but Mr. Jackson resurrected it.

‘LITTLE PALACES’

The handing over of the keys ceremony continued with Mr. T.S. Moclair, Co.C., saying the contractor, Mr. J.P. McCormack, was due a word of credit for the expeditious way he executed the houses and the splendid workmanship shown. It was just nine months ago since the contract was entered into, and it was a great record to have the eight houses ready for occupation in nine months.

As far as he was concerned he did not hesitate for a moment in asking for recruits when the Great War came, as he believed even now that John Bull was better for our country than the Kaiser. The nearest and dearest of some of them lay in the soil of France and in other places abroad where the exigencies of the war took them.

One who was dear to him lay in the soil of France, and he regarded the cottages as a monument to his memory and a more fitting one than stone or bronze.

He hoped the tenants going into the cottages would regard them in the same spirit, and if they did they would be doing credit to themselves and preserving the memory of their comrades lying in the soil of foreign lands.

Mr. T.F. Durcan, chairman of the Urban Council, associated himself with the remarks made, and said that on behalf of the Urban Council he felt grateful to the Land Trust for presenting these beautiful cottages to the town.

The credit to a great extent was due to Mr. Jackson, and he felt the people of the town were under a debt of gratitude to him that could not easily be paid. The contractor was also due great credit. Certainly these cottages were the best of the very many he had erected in the district.

The local public body tried to erect cottages to let at low rents, but he was sorry to say they could not compare with ‘the little palaces those cottages are’.

Castlebar owed a debt of gratitude that it could hardly ever repay for his exertions in this matter.

In conclusion, he said that any tribute they could pay the contractor would not be too great. Previous to this they had to travel, but now, thank God, they could stay at home and get one whose work proved his worth and merit.

Colonel Robinson, in reply, said he was grateful to the chairman and the other speakers for their remarks. The great object of the Land Trust was to provide decent homes for those who fought in the Great War.

He was pleased to think that the Trust had dealt with Castlebar, but not as liberally as they would like, as the number of houses the government places at their disposal was limited.

He was sure the tenants would take scrupulous care of the houses, cultivate the plots, and make nice flower gardens. He said the trustees were frightfully keen on this. He was glad there was a prize scheme for the district, and trusted the ex-servicemen would secure some of them.

There was no doubt the houses were a monument in every town they were erected in, and reflected credit on the ex-servicemen who occupied them.

In conclusion, he said he had to congratulate the contractor on having done the work so splendidly.

Mr. J.P. McCormack said he did not think he deserved any praise. It was very easy for him to carry out the work, as he had a splendid specification to work on.

All the praise should go to the architect, Mr. Browne, and the assistant architect, Mr. Deeffee, who were responsible for the excellence of the scheme, and on close observation it would be seen that every detail was carefully considered. It was a pleasure to work under them and they assisted him in every way.

Rev. Mr. Jackson said, as regards the keeping of the gardens, there was a horticultural society for the county, and he would recommend at the next meeting that they double the prize for the best kept cottage and garden for next year, making the prizes £5, £9 and £1.

The tenants were given possession.

Subsequently those associated with the ceremony were entertained to luncheon at the Imperial Hotel.

Mr. Jackson presided, and there were letters regretting non-attendance from the Venerable Archdeacon Fallon, Mr. E.K. Dixon, C.E., Mr. Fred Ryan, town clerk, Mr. T.P. Flanagan, Co. Surveyor; Mr. James Daly, on behalf of the secretary of the county council, Mr. G. Boyden, managing director, Bacon Factory, Dr. McBride, Mr. T.H. Gillespie, P.C., and others.

When the cloth had been removed, the chairman said that before they separated he thought it was right to express their thanks to Colonel Robinson for the great trouble he had taken in regard to the houses.

The selection of eight tenants out of a large number of applications was a difficult task, and the Colonel in the most thorough way looked into the circumstances of all the applicants, inspected their houses, saw the conditions under which they lived, investigated the state of their finances, etc.

Having gone to all that detail he conveyed his recommendations to the Land Trust, and they made a selection. He thought it was an admirable one. All he was sorry for was that he hadn’t houses for all the applicants, as he would like to see every ex-serviceman in a good home. Perhaps in the near future they would have another scheme to accommodate them all, but for the present they should be satisfied.

TENANTS NAMED

Speaking at the luncheon at the Imperial Hotel, Mr. T.S. Moclair, Co.C., said as far as the tenants were concerned, they all admitted their services entitled them to what they had got in the shape of a decent house. They gave of their best and today (1929), in health and strength, they could be classed B.3 instead of A.1. That was the best tribute they could pay them.

Perhaps if they lived long enough there would be a second scheme, by which the wants of a few more would be satisfied.

He referred to Mr. Jackson’s work on behalf of the ex-Servicemen and said no man could have done more for them.

Colonel Robinson said he could assure them that it was a pleasure for him to have the privilege of distributing the houses to the ex-Servicemen of the town. He had also to thank all concerned for their kindness to him, and for the hospitality extended by the hosts.

If he was treated everywhere he went the same as Castlebar his job would be the best on earth (laughter).

Castlebar might be well proud of its ex-Servicemen. If it was only for their association with the 88th - well known as the Connauaght Rangers. A great many of its officers were close friends of his. They were all great sportsmen, and he was very fond of them.

He again said the Trust was so limited in the number of houses it could give that Castlebar was really treated very generously.

Mr. T.M. Quinn said he was extremely pleased, even delighted, from the humanitarian point of view, that these men had got decent houses to live in. They deserved them, because they fought bravely.

He was only sorry more cottages had not been built, but he realised the Trust had done its best. Though the tenants’ fighting days were over they would produce a race of fighters, and even with all the talk about no more wars he was sure there would be war, and wherever it was Irishmen would be found in the thick of it, because the fighting strain was in their blood.

Rev. R.C. Crawford said he would like to propose a vote of thanks to their hosts, who for reasons well known to themselves wished to remain anonymous.

This was the first occasion on which it had been his privilege to be associated with any public function in Castlebar.

Mr. Jackson kindly extended an invitation, and he gladly consented, because the object in view was one he had every sympathy with.

When the war broke out he had been accepted as a candidate for the Methodist ministry, and during his spare time in college he and others made munitions.

Members of his family also played their part in the war. He should say without flattery or in the least exaggerating that he was simply amazed at the way the contract had been carried out, down to the minute detail, and he trusted the people to whom they were given would be long spared to enjoy them.

The chairman returned thanks on behalf of the hosts. He said it gave the hosts great pleasure to have so many guests here, and he hoped they all would be taking part in a similar function in the hear future.

He also mentioned that work on the wood factory for the ex-Servicemen would start next day, Mr. Browne, Breaffy, having given 50 tons of timber free.

The following was the selection for the cottages: Messrs. Charles A. Hanley, Michael Kenny, Michael Worthington, William Gavin, Michael Guthrie, Richard Dunne, James Cunningham, and Thomas J. Sweeney. However, the latter decided not to avail of the cottage, being a plumber, and prohibited from erecting a workshop, and Colonel Robinson stated it necessitated a further investigation on his part before a tenant would be selected. The rents were 4/6 for the one-storey, and 5/- for the two-storey, per week, plus rates and water rent.

Prior to leaving Castlebar, Col. Robinson, in the course of an interview, expressed his unfeigned delight at the cordial nature of the proceedings in connection with the handing over of the cottages.

He said he had been engaged in similar work for the past 10 years, and on no occasion had he ever experienced the same measure of kindness and cooperation as had been his lot in connect with his visit to Castlebar, and it was his earnest hope and trust that at some later date he would be in a position to renew his association with the town and its kindly people in the distribution of more cottages to ex-Servicemen if the funds of the Trust at all admitted this being done.

Dean Joseph Jackson, M.A., came to administer in Castlebar in 1923.

Shortly after arriving in the county town he became involved in many organisations such as the local branch of the British Legion. As secretary and organiser of the branch he played a major role in the erection of the eight houses at Mons Terrace - four single and four two-storey, which he saw to completion despite numerous setbacks.

The homes were built for ex-servicemen of World War I. Such was his input into the scheme, it was proposed at the time that it be named after him, but he preferred it to be called Mons Terrace after the battle of Mons in World War I.