Local Mayo history: Cinema burned down in 1948

IN March 1948 damage estimated at £20,000 was caused when fire gutted the palatial County Cinema at Spencer Street, Castlebar.

At about 5 o’clock in the morning, when the fire was first detected, it had a firm grip and, following a terrific explosion, the cinema was reduced to a heap of rubble within a very short space of time.

Castlebar fire brigade was promptly on the scene and eliminated the possibilities of the fire spreading to the adjoining Mitchel’s business premises, where, for a time, the residents were preparing to evacuate, while children were being removed from nearby houses.

The cinema - one of the finest in Ireland - had been a credit to proprietor Mr. A. Bourke, and much sympathy was felt for him in his loss.

Not long afterwards Mr. Bourke decided on reconstructing the building.

This report is part of a review of the principal happenings in Mayo during 1948, as carried in The Connaught Telegraph dated January 8, 1949. The price of the Connaught, with six pages, was two pence.

Also in March ’48, the first of many meetings to be held in the county in connection with the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Rising of 1798 was held in Castlebar towards the end of the month and was largely attended.

It was the unanimous decision of the first meeting that a celebration of insurrection should be held. The meeting was called on the initiative of some Castlebar people, but after a prolonged discussion it was decided to call a more representative meeting and to invite delegates from all parts of the county to attend and debate what form the celebration should take.

Very Rev. Fr. William Nohilly, Adm., Castlebar, was elected temporary chairman, with Mr. P.J. Ryan as secretary.

After further meetings, the county produced a programme of events that reflected credit on the organisers.

The same month at the annual general meeting of Castlebar Bacon Company, held in the offices of the company, the chairman, Mr. I. Van Zwanenberg, paid tribute to the memory of the late Mr. Peter Touhy, Ballintubber, a former director of the company.

The chairman announced that Mr. de Jong was resigning as manager and becoming a director and that his place as manager was being taken by Mr. Dancklesfsen.

The chairman announced profits from the year were down somewhat as compared with the previous period and declared: "You may rest assured that we will do everything to keep the factory going, although it is hard at present to make ends meet.

"Wages continued to rise, and we would like to be able to pay these increased wages out of profits, but at present that is not possible, and every rise makes makes things more difficult."

The chairman said the company had in mind plans for the extension of the factory in order to offset drawbacks in the main section of bacon curing.

At the Franciscan Monastery, Errew, Castlebar, in April, the Rev. Brother Pius Coughlan, O.S.F., celebrated the 60th anniversary of his profession.

To mark the occasion, a special Mass of thanksgiving was celebrated by Very Rev. Fr. Nohilly, Adm., Castlebar, and after the Mass the celebrant received the renewal of profession made by Bro Pius.

Afterwards the superior-general conveyed to jubilation the message sent by our Holy Father the Pope granting to him and the community the Apostolic Benediction. To this was added the personal greetings and blessings of the Archbishop of Tuam, Most. Rev. Dr. Joseph Walsh.

Brother Pius joined the Order in Mount Partry under the late Bro. Francis Tynan, the hero of many a battle against souperism in the Tourmakeady of those days.

Towards the end of May the regretted death took place of Mr. J.J. Collins, P.C., U.D.C., and one of the most respected and popular figures in the County of Mayo or even in the west.

The deceased was a well-known auctioneer, a great authority on Irish music and a journalist of repute, and his passing evoked widespread and genuine sorrow all over the countryside.

He was also popular as a broadcaster and for years in succession broadcast Irish airs over Radio Éireann.

As a member of the local council he took an active interest in the affairs of his native town and on every possible occasion helped to promote its interests.

The funeral was one of the largest in the town for years and was attended by representatives of Church and State.

On the front page of that edition there was a standing advertisement for James Rattigan, which read:

'Rattigan’s - cheques from all parts of the world cashed at Rattigan’s, also local cheques and paying orders issued by Castlebar Bacon Company, the Mental Hospital, County Council, Urban Council, County Board of Health, etc, - James Rattigan, Wholesale & Retail establishment, Castle Street, Castlebar.

'No cheques too big,

'No cheques too small,

'Tons of cash to pay them all.'

All of the front page contained advertisements such as: Lost: Pair of gents gloves, fleece-lined, new, in Spencer Street, Castlebar, on Christmas Day. Will finder please return to Box S.B., this office.

Found: A purse containing a sum of money was found in my shop on December 16, 1948. Owner can have same by applying to Thomas F. Durcan, Main Street, Castlebar, and by paying cost of this advertisement.