Mayo memories: A glimpse of Christmas 1943
By Tom Gillespie
THERE was a very large attendance of the faithful at all the Masses celebrated in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar, on Christmas Day (1943) - 82 years ago - and a great number of people attended the altar rails for Holy Communion, The Connaught Telegraph reported on January 1, 1944.
Rev. Michael King, C.C., celebrated the early Mass at 7.30 a.m., and Rev. J. Gibbons, C.C., celebrated the 9 a.m. Mass for the members of the Defence Forces, a large body of which turned out for the parade.
Other Masses were celebrated by Rev. Fr. Blowick and Rev. Fr. Egan. The usual Masses were also celebrated in the institutions.
The report stated: The crib, as usual, was arranged in the most tasteful and artistic fashion and was inspected by many of the churchgoers during the festive time.
In the mental and other hospitals a special Christmas Day fare was provided for the patients, and the medical officers in charge, as well as the matrons, nurses and attendants, did all in their power to make the occasion as festive and happy as possible for those under their care.
On St. Stephen’s night there was the usual number of dances in and around the locality, and all of these were well attended.
At the Mental Hospital dance held on Tuesday night there was an overflow attendance. It was one of the largest and best behaved gatherings ever to attend this popular dance, and the organisers, whose effort it was to raise money for amusements for the patient of the institution, were well gratified with the result of their work of organising the function.
The music was supplied by Mr. Edie Roy’s well-known combination, and the catering was satisfactorily carried out by Mrs. A. Redmond, Spencer Street.
The ceilidh held in the Town Hall on St. Stephen’s night was also a pronounced success.
On Sunday night, January 2, 1944, the Local Defence Force (L.D.F.) dance will be held in the Military Barracks, Castlebar, and we would like to see a great volume of support being given to this venture.
The cause is one of the most worthy in the land at the moment and the country owes so much to the L.D.F. and its kindred forces that, whatever dance a person may support, they could in all justice to themselves and the country find time to support this deserving fixture.
On Tuesday night, January 4, in the Town Hall, a dance in aid of Mr. Stephen Garvey’s operatic venture is being held. Patrons who remember the success of the previous dance for this noble cause should make a point of attending Tuesday night’s affair, when they are promised every enjoyment.