Christmas shopping in Castlebar 95 years ago

By Tom Gillespie

NINETY-five years ago (December 1928) The Connaught Telegraph published a pre-Christmas shopping guide for its Castlebar readers, highlighting the many festive bargains that could be obtained in the town.

Though a Christmas shopping week had not been organised in the town, traders were no less active in making their premises attractive.

Attractive displays and seasonal decorations have an alluring effect on the Christmas shopper, and this trait of the human character has not been lost sight of by those who cater for the public, and seldom, if ever, had they seen the traders of Castlebar more alive to the necessity of breaking away from the old traditions, the report stated.

Below is an edited account of what was on offer in local businesses.

The Irish House

This magnificent emporium, one of the very finest in the west, has been beautifully decorated and specially lighted for the festive season. In addition to the usual displays of fancy goods, suitable for presents, two permanent departments have been added - one is attached to the hosiery department, and supplied with an extensive range of suitable and necessary requisite for every home, and the other an extensive showroom attached to the woollen department and devoted to rugs, carpets and floor coverings, cushions, window furnishings, etc.

Another innovation has been the introduction of a restaurant for the benefit of the shoppers, and the liberal patronage so far extended indicates it is appreciated by the public.

For the opening of the great Christmas sale on Saturday the services of Mr. Stephen Garvey’s Orchestra, specially augmented, were requisitioned, and certainly proved a great draw. Throughout the day the shops were crowded with customers, while queues lined up outside in their anxiety to share in the bargains and listen to the delightful music rendered by the orchestra, and bands of youngsters came for a like purpose, and to see the very-much-alive Santa Claus.

The Arcade

This bright and up-to-date emporium will be found replete with a fine range of the most select drapery goods, and a huge assortment of articles suitable for Christmas gifts.

Mr. Regan, the enterprising proprietor, and his energetic staff deserve every praise for the prominent position that have placed The Arcade in since it was first established quite a short time ago.

Parsons & Co.

In the next section of the commodious structure thrown across Castlebar river through the keen-visioned enterprise of Mr. Condon, Parsons & Co. are housed, and have an equally attractive shop, devoted wholly to boots and leather trade.

With due attention to strict business methods and the needs of customers they have established a solid business connection that will endure.

Mr. Wm. Irwin’s

This drapery establishment in Ellison Street deserves the appellation he gives it of ‘The House for Men’. Here everything in the line of gents outfitting can be had at its best. High-class goods only are stocked. You have only to look at the window display to visualise what is inside, and he fills a long-felt want in gents' tailoring, specialising in breeches making and clerical tailoring.

Mr. Wm. Padden’s

Mr. Wm. Padden’s double shop in the Main Street is a centre of attraction. The drapery shop is, as usual, fully stocked with every requisite. Next door he carries on the licensed and provision trade, where customers can rely on getting the most reliable goods.

Mr. M. McCarthy’s

Mr. Michael McCarthy (late of Langan’s Boot Department), who has taken over the old-established business of the late Mr. P. Kilgallon in the Main Street, is evidently following the right lines, judging by his extensive clientele.

Specialising in the boot trade, he stocks what the public wants, and has benefited accordingly.

Mr. J.P. Kelly’s

Mr. J.P. Kelly knows what to stock and how to sell it. His well-known shop in Ellison Street is fully stocked with all the seasonal dainties. Fruit in profusion, choice confectionery and sweets, teas, etc., make an irresistible appeal to the housewife and people of all ages with ‘sweet’ palates.

Mr. James Rattigan’s

At this popular and well-known resort in Castle Street the liquor and grocery business is done in the very best style, nothing but the best brands being kept.

It is a noted house for ‘a good drop’, also for the excellent quality of the groceries.

Mr. William Gibbons’

Generations of this well-known and highly respected family have been associated with the wholesale business in Castlebar, and the record established over a century ago still obtains. Without exception the most reputable house in the west, the liquor, provision and hardware business done has few equals.

‘Fit for a king’ is the boast applied to the liquor dispensed.

Lavelle & Co.’s

At T. Lavelle & Co.’s, Main Street, a high class provision and grocery business is carried on, and just now they are specialising in a magnificent range of articles suitable for the home or presents.

All the dainties for the Christmas cake and dishes, bacon, puddings, sausages, etc., are stocked, while those interested in hardware, furniture, beds, bedding, etc., will find everything they require.

Mr. Stephen Garavan’s

This popular business is going stronger than at any time during the century, and it is one of the oldest and most popular houses in town, where Mr. Garavan and a competent staff are kept busy all the year, and exceptionally so now.

Everything required for the household is stocked, all of the best brands. The shop has been very nicely decorated and additional lighting effects introduced. It is one of the best houses in town for getting ‘a good drop’.

Tansey’s

Tansey’s, Ellison Street, specialise in the drink line and have made good thereby. A popular, pleasant and comfortable resort for all, and whether you want ‘the hard drop’, Guinness at its best, Bass that would please a connoisseur, sparkling champagne, or ‘old square face’ and stone beer to smooth the liver in the morning, you can rest satisfied that a call to Tansey’s will not be disappointing.

Mr. Michael Geraghty’s

The Commercial Hotel and Farmers’ House, Spencer Street, over which Mr. Michael Geraghty so worthy presides, gets the widespread patronage it deserves. His Christmas stock is extensive and price right. The hotel is liberally patronised, and farmers are accommodated by having their bacon factory and other cheques cashed.

The Bungalow

Mr. Michael Lavelle, at the Bungalow, Bridge Street, specialises in the best brands of liquor, and has one of the most comfortable houses in town. The service is excellent, and surroundings pleasant and those anxious to take home liquid Xmas cheer couldn’t patronise a more reliable house.

Riverside Bakery

This establishment stands out in its own and has no rival in the west. In addition to bread of the various grades, which motor vehicles distribute all over the county, every food requisite for the home is stocked.

Gavin Brothers

This popular firm, whose ramifications extend all over the county, concentrates on the huge output of their steam ovens, in connection with which are installed the most modern and cunningly contrived appliances imaginable for dealing with the raw materials. They specialise also in high-class confectionary and carry on retail shops at Spencer Street and the Main Street for general groceries, sweets, confectionary, etc.

The Erris Hotel

This is a favourite house for doing justice to ‘the inner man’. The shop is replete with the best brands of liquor and groceries and a well-established trade is done.

Mr. J.J. Armstrong’s

At his new shop in the Main Street Mr. J.J. Armstrong, watchmaker and jeweller, is showing a very nice range of goods suitable for Christmas presents. His range makes an irresistible appeal to the artistic minds of both sexes.

Mr. Maurice Dunne’s

Mr. Maurice Dunne, watchmaker, jeweller and optician, is also exhibiting a beautiful range of goods at his old-established premises in the Main Street. His stock makes an appeal at this season, and a popular gentleman of his type deserves every support.

Mr. Augustus Bourke’s

At the Medical Hall, Main Street, Mr. Augustus Bourke, M.P.S.I., is showing an elaborate range of manicure sets, ladies’ and gent’s toilet cases, perfumes, etc., suitable for Christmas presents, and thousands of other useful articles. He also carried a full range of all the requisites of a chemist’s shop, so that those making complaint after the Christmas turkey will know where to go for the relief!

Mayo Drug Store

Mr. T. Cahill, L.P.S.I., is showing a variety of articles at the Mayo Drug Store, Main Street, at specially reduced prices for the Christmas trade. Here also can be had every specific invented for the relief of human ills.

Mrs. Hoban’s

At Mrs. Hoban’s, Main Street, dressmaking is carried out by a competent staff. Her stock of ladies’ outfitting is well worth inspection. We are glad to know Mrs. Hoban is maintaining the high reputation established by her late respected husband.

Mrs. Kelly’s

This popular and old-established house at The Bridge is looking its best. In the drapery department there is a full range of ladies’ and gents outfitting and a profusion of novelties suitable for gifts. The bar is also fully stocked with the best brands of drink, and Mrs. Kelly, the proprietress, is fortunate in having a very extensive clientele.