Tracing the history of Mayo town centre buildings now being demolished

by Alan King

Work is underway on demolishing four derelict buildings on Ellison Street, which has become an eyesore in Castlebar town centre.

This is the first step in the construction of 13 new social housing apartments at the location.

So it's an opportune time to have a look at these buildings and record some of their previous owners.

Starting with the premises left of the present-day Moran’s Auctioneers, this was in 1856 the residence of William Glanville (1808-1873), a builder and architect who participated in the design of ‘The Kirk’ Presbyterian Church, Lower Charles Street.

The building was owned by Mary Young, who had a stationer/perfumery business located in Bridge Street.

Her husband’s nephew was Davis R. Young (1820-1902), who was appointed in 1849 Governor of Castlebar Gaol, located where Mayo University Hospital is today.

In 1901, the building was the office of Patrick Kelly, solicitor, and brother of Sir Malachy Kelly, Crown Solicitor for Mayo, who had his private residence at the top of Church Hill (Mountain View) in a house later resided in by Mary B. Jennings of the Travellers Friend Hotel and Imperial Hotel.

The office was later occupied by another solicitor, John F. Cahill, with the residence of Tony and Gretta McHale (parents of the late Larry McHale, St. Bridget’s Crescent) in the upper portion of the premises.

Next door was owned by Mary Young’s brother-in-law William Young, who was the Land Agent to the Earl of Lucan.

Many of the Young family are buried in the cemetery behind Christ Church.

By 1901, a family named Carpenter, who were Church of Ireland, resided here and were later replaced by the Fahey family – Denis and his wife Martha (née Wynne, Main Street).

Denis was an employee of the ESB and their first offices in Castlebar were at the rear of Fahey’s house – the entrance through an archway.

Their son Dermot opened a radio and electrical shop which later was taken over by his son Dermot Jnr., who also operated a hackney service before passing away in April 1998.

The next building on the left was owned in 1856 by William Glanville (as mentioned above), with a Mary Wilson residing in it.

By 1901, it was occupied by a Mr. Weatherupp, who was Chief Clerk in the Earl of Lucan’s Estate Office in the Lawn.

It was later the grocery and novelty store of Miss Ciss Condon.

One of her long-time assistants was Nora Gibbons, who married Tom Neary and lived on the Newport Road.

She was the mother of retired Archbishop of Tuam, Michael Neary.

The other part of the building was the office of Patrick J. Durcan, solicitor.

The final building (fifth to the left of Mall corner) was the residence of the O’Malley family – Luke and Marion, who were the parents of republican and author Ernie O’Malley (1897-1957).

Luke worked as chief clerk to Malachy Kelly, Crown Solicitor for Mayo, and when Kelly was knighted and appointed Chief Crown Solicitor for Ireland, O’Malley and his family accompanied him to Dublin.

Later two ladies, a Miss Hynes and a Mrs. Hyde, resided there with their nephew, Dr. John Kelly, who was a naval surgeon during the war.

The house was purchased by Michael Moran, T.D. and solicitor, who later served as Minister for Lands and Justice.

The building was also used later as offices by the Bank of Ireland.

I know I have left out some buildings/persons, but this gives a flavour of who lived and worked there in this area of Castlebar down through the years.

Now we all look forward to the street's new era.

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