Demolition of one of Mayo’s jewels still rankles

by Auld Stock

EACH time I pass by Rock Square, Castlebar, I look aghast at the rough patch of ground which, up to a few years ago, fronted one of the most historic and beautiful buildings in the county town.

It was the property of the Sisters of Mercy and at one time was the bank of the Lucan family.

It was a tall building with an impressive statue of the Blessed Virgin, a sentinel-like figure looking down on those who passed its way.

This was the building where St. Claire O’Malley, Lord chief agent, and his henchmen deposited their ill-gotten money each week, the exorbitant rents extracted from his unfortunate tenants, the poorest of the poor.

And then, on a dark, stormy and wet night, the JCBs trundled into the area and destroyed the convent building from top to bottom.

Bricks and mortar were scattered over a wide area, not an inch of the former beautiful building was left untouched.

A unique and historic part was reduced to rubble within a few hours.

It is difficult to appreciate why such a barbarous act of blackguardism was allowed to take place in our county town.

One of Castlebar’s jewels in the crown was unseemly swept away in the cowardly cover of darkness.

And no one knows the reason for its disgraceful destruction.

A strange and mysterious business indeed.

There is a stench about the entire affair lingers in the nostrils of many decent Castlebar people.