Annie Murray and the Night of the Big Wind in Mayo

by Auld Stock

PEOPLE live to great ages nowadays.

Experts tell us this is due to people being better fed, improved medical treatment, modern sanitary facilities and good housing,

The majority of babies born today will probably live to be one hundred years.

In Ireland we are an ageing population though we still have a huge number of young people.

Annie Murray, Claggan, Glenisland, Castlebar, celebrated her 106th birthday in June 1958, as she said herself, feeling fit and fresh.

Like their neighbours, the Murray family lived in a small two-roomed thatched cottage.

Times were tough in those days and people had little money. Meals were often made up of potatoes and buttermilk.

Annie was a fine swimmer and saved the lives of three young local people who were blown into Beltra Lake during the Night of the Big Wind.

It was the same in town and country in those times; some people were reasonably well of.

However, many young people emigrated to England and America.

Some emigrants returned, others never made it back to their beloved homeland.

Annie Murray’s first trip to Castlebar was in a párdóg on a donkey’s back, looked after by her father.

They shopped in William Gibbons, Main Street.

On the way home her father described Mr. Gibbons as a millionaire.

Annie was amazed at the huge selection of ‘commands’ in Gibbons’ shop.

She said the first lorry she saw was owned by her neighbour, Michael Geraghty, known as ‘Big Mike’.

People of Annie’s era were God-fearing, hard working and honest. They set high standards for the people who came after them.

I have a grá for Glenisland and its people.

My great-grandmother, Bridget Philbin, came from Kilhale in that beautiful area of Mayo.

By all accounts, she was a tough lady. She had a number of ups and downs, but overcame them all to lead a long and healthy life.

Greetings to my many friends in Glenisland.

*’In times past, ‘commands’ was another word for groceries.