A roof over Mayo county town's Main Street is worth a try

by Auld Stock

When he was a government minister, Pádraig Flynn suggested that a type of roof could be erected over Main Street in Castlebar to facilitate shoppers and others using the street.

It’s an idea our local councillors should keep in mind.

Such street roofs are common in France, Spain and other countries, even in towns much smaller than Castlebar.

The hubs on Market Square, proposed by Councillor Ger Deere, are a great success and this proposal can be too.

A roof over the Main Street?

It’s certainly worth a try.

Fifty years ago on Main Street, Castlebar Urban Council erected a signpost outside Bradys, The Steps, with the name Market Street.

The sign disappeared overnight and was later discovered in Shamble Street, with the words ‘Definitely Main Street,’ daubed on it.

There was much speculation as to who removed the sign.

Many years later, over a few pints in Jim Rattigan’s pub, Castle Street, a local man, home on holidays from England, revealed it was he and a few of his friends who removed the sign.

‘We pulled down the sign for a bit of devilment,’ he admitted.

Main Street, or whatever you wish to call it, was crowded with shoppers in former years.

Jimmy Whittington from Charlestown took up temporary residence outside the Riverside Bakery and did a roaring trade selling dulse (dilisk).

A man with a ready wit, I recall a remark made by Jimmy when a local housewife paid for dilisk with a £5 note.

"There must be a lot of millionaires in Castlebar. That’s the fifth £5 note handed to me today," he told the lady.

Laughter all-round.