My two favourite streets in Castlebar

By Tom Gillespie

FORTY-six years ago - March 1977 - local historian and author Liam Egan ran a series in The Connaught Telegraph on the Streets of Castlebar, two of which are dear to my heart.

I was born in Spencer Street and at the age of five moved to Marian Row.

Marian Row - Ascal Muire

Liam wrote: The street runs north from Newport Road to join Pound Road at a point where the pound used to stand, and was named in honour of the Marian Year.

The Marian Year was celebrated by the church for many reasons. The seemingly falling off of devotion to the Blessed Virgin prompted the church to declare 1954 a special year of devotion to her. The hope of the clergy was that the people of Ireland would renew their special faith in Mary. The church tried to explain and clarify the place of Mary, Lourdes, Fatima, Knock and the Immaculate Conception in the Marian Year.

The large number of grottos to the Blessed Virgin which we still see around the country are products of that year. The one at the old Castlebar Bacon Factory site, at the top of McHale Road, is perhaps the most beautiful one in town.

It is interesting to ponder the facts: the plinth, column and statue cost £750 in 1954, all of which was collected from the workers in the factory. At over £2 per head donation it represented a large slice of a man’s wages.

When the housing scheme was built the urban council thought it fitting to name the 24-house row after the most important female figure in the history of Christianity, Mary.

Spencer Street - Sraid Spencer

Although this was originally the name of the street from the Green to Smith's Garage, there seems to have been a lengthening of it in recent years so that now the name is used by people living between Smith’s and Cathal Duffy’s garage. At one time the Station Road stretched from the station to Smith’s.

The street was named after Spencer Park. The fact that many of the houses were owned by the Lord of Spencer Park was reason enough for the name.

How the name Spencer came to be connected with Castlebar is a tale of marriage and baronial indulgence. As with many of the great houses in and around Castleba,r the Binghams played a major part; in this case Sir Charles Bingham, the 7th Baronet.

I might point out that in one of the quotations I give he is called Baron Lucan - a title he was given on July 24, 1776. It was not until October 1, 1795, that he raised to the position of the Earl of Lucan, the title which was incidentally by which we knew the missing Lord Lucan.

The eldest daughter of Sir Charles was Lavinia, a rather delicate child. She was in some ways not a typical young lady of the 18th century, taking a great interest in the items considered the exclusive domain of the 18th century male, in particular politics, agrarian reform, art and, to some extent, sport.

In spite of her interests, she was nevertheless a striking beauty in her own way. When one reflects on the male dominated view of the period it is rather surprising to see that the men of the time accepted her for what she was, though I am sure that her father’s power coupled with that of her husband ensured that males kept their feelings well in check.

Lady Lavinia Bingham was used to living in the world of power. Her father, as Lord Lucan, was one of the premier peers of the realm but her Bingham ambition was well and truly stated in her choice of a husband, a husband she married while still a minor.

The following piece appeared in the Social and Personal columns of the day: ‘March 6th, 1781. The Right Honourable George Spencer, Esq., commonly called Lord Viscount Althorp B., and the Honourable Lavinia Bingham., a minor by Sp. Lic. Abp. C. And with consent of her father, the Right Honourable Charles Baron Lucan’.

At this time the Spencers were one of the most powerful families in the British Empire, being advisors to the monarchy of England.

The marriage was a happy one. Lady Althorp was a perfect partner for her husband; her youth, beauty, wit and gaiety complemented his vigour, drive and prominence. Their first child, a boy, was born at Spencer House on May 20, 1872.

As Viscount Althorp he later became Chancellor and leader of the House of Commons.

In 1795 we are given a well-rounded description of the Lord and Lady Althorp:

‘He is a valuable man and she is a charming woman with sense and spirit and the playfulness and simplicity of a child. In force of character and brilliance of conversation she was surpassed by few.

‘If she appeared to aim at a somewhat exclusive sway in politics and fashion it was from no love of power or display. She cared for neither except as they entered into her view of the duties of her station’.

The same writer goes on to describe the travels of the couple. They spent a good deal of time on the continent and this we must assume was part of Lord Althorp’s job as a Statesman and advisor to the King.

Needless to say the rise of Napoleon put an end to all this. We know, however, that the Spencer family were not a timid breed of men and they carved many a niche for themselves in history as soldiers and sailors.

The close friendship they built up with such notable personages as Lord Nelson were often the linking of powerful minds and forceful characters.

As was fitting they built a house in Castlebar though there are few records of their visits to the house; perhaps these were too commonplace to merit special attention. They did give their name to the house and later the street.