Contents of legendary Mayo public house to be auctioned soon
Victor Mee Auctions, the renowned Cavan based auction house, has been appointed to auction the contents of one of Mayo's most esteemed, legendary and beloved pubs, Cannon's, Shamble Square, Castlebar.
In an interview with Ireland's RSVP Live, TV presenter Lisa Cannon waxed lyrical about her Mayo roots, particularly her affinity for her family's much-loved and legendary Castlebar pub.
She said: “I have a great affiliation with the town. I’m very proud of the pub and our heritage.
"It was very much a country pub with a relaxed atmosphere and it was full of joy and jovial memories.”
Cannon's closed in 1989, much to the collective chagrin of locals who frequented and revered the establishment and its proprietors, Lisa's grandparents, Eddie and Hannah Cannon and, later, Eddie's son Michael Cannon.
Nicknamed The Academy, thanks to Eddie's superb intellect and extensive library, Cannon's was said to be a “popular meeting place for saints, scholars, political commentators, poets and philosophers,” who would prop up the bar to engage in discussion and debate, upholding the pubs glowing reputation as a poor man's university; The Academy.
It was everything one thinks of at the mention of a traditional Irish Pub.
It was homey. It was inviting. It was awash with bric-a-brac, memorabilia, vintage advertising and photos.
It was a haven of sociability and conversation in Castlebar and boasted a pint of Guinness “always a few pence lower than other places.”
Cannon's hasn’t been open in years.
Its façade, however, remains pristine, a testament to the devotion the Cannon family have for their Academy in the west.
The pub even retains its licence.
Inside, it is a window into bygone days.
Merriment and wild tales told by patrons ooze from the walls, adorned with rare enamel signage, photographs and memorabilia.
Lisa Cannon is one of Ireland's top journalists, a constant fixture on our screens and airwaves over the past 20 years, hosting popular shows like ‘Expose” and ‘Box Office’ on Virgin Media TV as well as hosting the extremely popular podcast, ‘Space to Grow’ with interior designer, Natasha Rocca Devine, among countless other illustrious media positions.
Through her incredible success and celebrity status, Lisa maintains that devotion to Cannons Pub that is evident in the way she speaks of it.
“Many people would have grown up with my grandfather's pub. It used to be nicknamed The Academy because a lot of people would have learned a lot in the pub, my grandfather was a very learned man.
"The old Irish pub tradition is very much an important part of our culture and our heritage.
"It’s one of the most important establishments in County Mayo. It really has that uniqueness, everybody knows the pub. Generations have grown up there.”
And so it is, no doubt, bittersweet for the Cannon family to put into motion the auction of the contents of the pub.
On one hand, so admirable and respectful to the iconic history to preserve the contents so devotedly.
On the other, it seems a shame to not have it seen and appreciated.
Victor Mee Auctions has been a specialist in this type of sale for many years, hosting memorabilia and collectables sales and handling the clearance of some of the country's most loved establishments.
Last year saw the team auction the contents of Killorans Pub in Tubbercurry, Sligo, another celebrated traditional Irish pub that sadly closed its doors in a mammoth two day auction event.
The auction house is well seasoned in sales like this one.
With years of experience providing valuations and hosting pub sales, the team at Victor Mee's understands the significance and the history of these items and has built a loyal clientele of avid collectors and aficionados who will, no doubt, show the Cannon's lots the love and respect they have earned.
With a preliminary date of February 6 and 7 set for the auction, it is currently in the cataloguing stage and will be available to view on Victor Mee Auctions website (www.victormeeauctions.ie) in due course along with all the details you’ll need to bid and be in with a chance to take home a piece of iconic Mayo history.