National radio tribute to prima donna overlooked the fact she was from Mayo

by Auld Stock

MARGARET Burke Sheridan (1889-1958) was born in a house opposite The Green, Castlebar.

Her father, John Burke, was the local postmaster.

John and his wife had twin daughters and three sons.

Margaret received her early education with the Sisters of Mercy in Castlebar, where the nuns appreciated that young Sheridan had a fine voice.

She went on to continue her education in Dublin and later became the leading soprano in Europe.

I was reminded of Margaret’s glittering career when I listened to a tribute to her on John Bowman’s Sunday morning show on RTÉ Radio One.

However, I was disappointed when the contributor didn’t make any reference to the fact that Margaret Burke Sheridan was born in Castlebar.

Katie Cosgrove, who was born in Spencer Street and later moved to McHale Road, was a school pal of Margaret and told me many stories of the innocent bits of devilment she and Margaret got up to when they were both pupils at St. Angela’s National School.

A plaque in memory of Margaret Burke Sheridan marks her place of birth opposite The Green, Castlebar.

Many people who made their mark in different ways on the international scene were born in Castlebar.

I believe it is appropriate their names and achievements should be recorded on a large hoarding which could be placed in the local library in Castlebar, just across the road from where Margaret Burke Sheridan was born.

This would help keep their names and significant achievements alive for all time.

It is the least the people of Castlebar owe them for the manner in which they stamped the name of the county town on the international scene.

Our local councillors might keep this in mind.