The King Edward VII inscription and the Mayo connection

by Auld Stock

NEWS that the old post office on Ellison Street, Castlebar, is to be developed as a Youth Resource Centre has been warmly welcomed.

The post office was opened in 1904 and replaced an older building opposite the Green where Margaret Burke Sheridan, the world-famous soprano, was born. Margaret’s father worked for the Irish Mail.

Some years ago, whilst he was carrying out work in the Public Works Office, Castlebar, Tommy Grier, electrical contractor, came across a large sign bearing the inscription, ‘ER, Edwardus Rex’, Latin for King Edward VII.

The sign was removed from the post office when this country gained its independence.

Tommy Grier, a man interested in local history, told Auld Stock about his discovery. With the cooperation of Cathal Rowan, an official with the OPW in Castlebar, the sign was removed to the Museum of Country Life, Turlough, Castlebar.

The old post office in Castlebar was erected to a design by John Howard Pentland, principal designer of the Board of Works, in 1902.

I have a feeling it was Mr. Howard, who also designed the Catholic church, St. Mary’s Hospital, Castlebar.

I have had difficulty in ascertaining who built the post office in Castlebar but it may have been a man named Mulligan who came from Swinford.