The neglect of Westport Courthouse

In his 'Ould Stock' column this week, Johnny Mee raised the question of the courthouse in Westport, and it's future. And he also remembered some local characters.

Here's what he wrote:

I OFTEN wonder what is the future of Westport Courthouse, Castlebar Street, which closed in 2013? Built in 1846, the courthouse is an impressive stone structure and in its time was the venue for many historic court hearings.

Councillor Brendan Mulroy has been to the forefront in raising questions about the future of Westport Courthouse.

I firmly believe the courthouse could be put to some practical use in the future, particularly in a town like Westport with its superb natural beauty and one of the leading tourist venues in the country.

I remember the time when Tommy Moran and his wife Rosie (formerly Clarke from Castlebar) lived in the courthouse. As far as I can remember, the couple had two sons, Tommie and James, and a daughter, Mary, a very pretty girl.

Tommy Moran Jnr. played in Westport town band, alongside Peter McConville, Jimmy Flaherty, Ambrose Kelly, Frank McCaffrey, Larry Hingerton, Mark Malone and Jackie Foley.

James Moran was a member of the nursing staff of St. Mary’s Hospital, Castlebar, a close friend of Seán Larkin, whose family lived at John’s Row, Westport, Josie Munnelly, Castlebar, Frank Hughes, Westport, Pádraig Irwin, Castlebar and Westport, and Joe O’Malley, Kilmeena.