Mayo's county town was awarded European flag in 1967

By Tom Gillespie

ON THURSDAY, May 4, 1967, Castlebar was honoured by being presented with the European flag for its contribution to European unity.

The importance of the occasion was reflected in the next week’s edition of The Connaught Telegraph who devoted a full broadsheet page to the ceremonies which were attended by dignitaries from 18 European countries.

I would pose the question: where is that European flag now?

However, the report read: Castlebar had its proudest moment when 18 flags of 18 nations fluttered in the breeze above the town’s Mall.

For the town (pop, 5,700) had been awarded the European flag for its contribution to European unity.

Along with eight others towns it was selected for the award by the Council of Europe. There were 100,000 entries for the competition. And Thursday was the day the flag was handed over.

Thousands crowded in the Mall for the impressive ceremony. It began with the raising of 18 flags of nations who are members of the Council of Europe.

As the flags were hoisted slowly to the top of the flag poles an Irish Army Band played the national anthem of each country.

It was the first time the Union Jack was ceremoniously hoisted in Castlebar since the British forces left Ireland in 1922.

It poured rain for most of the morning, but this did not dampen the celebrations of Castlebar’s entry into Europe.

And as the flag of Europe - blessed by the Archbishop of Tuam, Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Walsh, and then handed over to Mr. John F. Cahill, chairman, Castlebar Urban Council, by the Swiss ambassador - was raised, the sun broke through the clouds and shone down strongly on the historic scene.

From an early hour cars poured into the town from all over the country carrying morning-suited, top-hatted municipal dignitaries.

Three wreaths were laid as the rain pelted down. One at the grave of John Moore, first president of Connaught, by Dr. John Langan, Castlebar; one at the Republican plot by Mr. John P. McCormick, Castlebar; and one at the 1798 Memorial by the French Ambassador.

High Mass followed in the Church of the Holy Rosary, presided over by the Archbishop of Tuam. A Protestant service was held at Christ Church.

Then there was a reception in the Art Centre (now the Christian Fellowship centre) for members of the diplomatic corp and non-nationals living in the county.

From Ballymena, Castlebar’s ‘twin town', came the Mayor, Ald. J.D. Henry, O.B.E., and his wife; the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. George Stacey, and his wife; and Councillors George Sloane, W.P. O’Kane and J.H. Lynn.

Also there were Sir Cecil McKee, former Lord Mayor of Belfast, and his wife, and in their party were Walter Smithwick and his wife; Harold Clokey and his wife; and Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Cotton of Belfast.

Then from the Art Centre to the Travellers’ Friend Hotel where there was a civic lunch for 180 guests.

There was a civic reception in Pontoon Bridge Hotel, organised by Castlebar Chamber of Commerce, for the Mayor of Ballymena and his party.

A ceili was held in the Town Hall and the night's festivities ended with a midnight cabaret in Breaffy House Hotel.

Earlier there was some anxiety when Labour MP Mr. Robert Edward did not turn up to present the award. But the Swiss Ambassador, his Excellency Guy de Keller, stepped in to perform the ceremony.

As Mr. Cahill accepted the flag, he said: “It is a wonderful thing that a little community like ours should be acknowledged like this.”

The week’s celebrations ended with an international folk festival in the Royal Ballroom on Friday night at which artists from 14 countries took part - and the flags on the Mall were finally taken down on Sunday afternoon.

Mr. Michael O’Morain, Minister for Lands, congratulated Castlebar on its success, and described it as a red-letter day in the history of the town.

He said it was not today or yesterday that the people of Castlebar were European-minded and referred to the influence which the Irish missionaries had in spreading Christianity throughout Europe.

Mr. O’Morain traced Ireland’s links with Europe, in particular France and Spain, and said relics were still to be found in Castlebar from the 1798 period when General Humbert resigned supreme.

Mr. Cahill said Castlebar had been selected by the Council of Europe as a community worthy of receiving a European award for 1967.

He said: “As I understand it, the award is given to communities, big and small, who in their own particular way contribute towards European unity and the European idea.

“I have been asked from time to time over the last few weeks since the award was announced a simple question, ‘Why Castlebar’? to which I answered ‘Why not Castlebar’?

“However, perhaps I should give my answer to this question as to why Castlebar was awarded the European flag in a more positive form.

“First of all I should say you cannot divorce Castlebar from the county of Mayo, for which it is the administrative centre.

“We have always been an outward looking people and through our emigrants have kept in touch with the great world outside our shores and have been receptive to new ideas.

“Much innovation and new ideas, some of world significance, were born here in this community. Michael Davitt founded the campaign for agricultural reform on this Mall.

“It was here in Mayo that ‘boycott’ was invented - one of the most potent political non-violent weapons.

“The first effort to set up a Republic in theses island took place here in Castlebar when in 1798 John Moore was elected first president of the Republic of Connaught.”