Unique Mayo street and its church stories

CANON Patrick Lyons was parish priest of Castlebar from 1889 to 1911, a time when most of our people were living in poor circumstances.

Building of the present church began in March 1897 but another church was built on the opposite side of the road.

After much controversy this church was demolished. After a year’s work on the present church a severe thunderstorm severely damaged the building.

However, work on the church continued and it was completed in 1901 except for the spire, which was omitted because of lack of funds.

Some years ago a proposal was made to add the spire to the church.

The idea was dropped because of a difference of opinion amongst parishioners relating to the project, many people feeling it was too costly.

I have always felt it a pity the spire has not been added to the church, a magnificent building by any standards.

I can only imagine how impressive the church spire would look towering over the county capital.

The church’s architect was Walter Doolin of Dublin, the contractor was a man named Healy, Tralee. John B. Cotter was clerk of works and the foreman on the building was named Donovan.

Some years ago, when I was holidaying down south, I came across a grandson of John B. Cotter who told me he had visited Castlebar on a number of occasions and felt very proud of his grandfather’s work. The church cost £18,000 to build.

A great deal of repair work was carried out on the church over the years by Tom McHugh, Newtown, and Tommie Devereux, Davitt’s Terrace.

Residents of Castlebar are very proud of their church and the people of the parish have been well served by the various priests who have ministered in the county town over the years.

Interestingly, Chapel Street in Castlebar now has a second church with the opening of the Calvary Church in a property formerly owned by the Carney family.

The two churches are literally side side-by-side and we wish everybody associated with the new church, which was previously located at Humbert Mall, every success in the future.