Memories of former Railway Hotel in Mayo town

by Auld Stock

I DON’T suppose many Castlebar people have ever heard of the Railway Hotel in the town.

In the early 1900s the hotel was located in Spencer Street and its proprietor was a man named Fred Fogarty.

By all accounts, Fred was a colourful character and took part in many activities in the county town.

John Ainsworth, who lived close to Fred Fogarty, was a jarvey and with his horse-drawn sidecar he drove his clients to many parts of Mayo.

His faithful horse was named ‘Billy’ and John always described the animal as his ‘little pet.’

There are several descendants of John Ainsworth living in Castlebar, many of whom have played prominent roles in the political, sporting and social life of the county town. The late Jude Ainsworth and his son Paul were both mayors of Castlebar.

The Railway Hotel was later purchased by Jim Rattigan and his wife who ran a public house in the premises for many years.

In more recent times Jack O’Reilly and Willie Cosgrove were proprietors of public houses in the premises.