Mayo memories: Workers erected two Marian shrines in county town
By Tom Gillespie
ON December 17, 1955, The Connaught Telegraph published a report on the blessing by the Archbishop of Tuam, Most. Rev. Joseph Walsh, of two Marian shrines in Castlebar - one at Castlebar Bacon Factory and the other at the District Mental Hospital.
The first ceremony took place at the Bacon Factory when the Archbishop blessed the shrine (pictured), erected through voluntary subscription from employees and management of the Bacon Factory at a cost of £600.
The work was carried out under the supervision of Mr. T.P. Flanagan, county surveyor, and Mr. T.J. McGowan, B.E., assistant county surveyor.
On arrival, His Grace was received by Comdt. J. Griffin, area officer, FCA, and inspected a guard of honour under Sergeant Patrick McGinty.
At the blessing ceremony His Grace was assisted by Very Rev. Fr. William Nohilly, Adam., Castlebar, and Rev. Fr. M. Geraghty, secretary to the Archbishop.
The ‘Ave Marie’ and ‘Hail Queen of Heaven’ was sung by the parish choir under Rev. Fr. G. Charles, C.C.
There was an exceptionally large attendance, which included members of staff and the people of the parish.
MacHale Road, which is adjacent to the factory, was bedecked with Papal and national flags and buntings, with special altars erected in the windows.
The ceremony concluded with a decade of the Rosary recited by Very Rev. Fr. Nohilly.
Among those present were Mr. Joseph Blowick, Minister for Lands; Mr. Michael Moran, T.D., director of the Bacon Factory; Chief Superintendent H.J. Keegan; members of Castlebar Urban Council and Rev. Fr. W. Walsh, C.C., and Rev. Fr. A. O’Toole.
The members of the special committee from the staff of the Bacon Factory responsible for the erection of the shrine were: chairman, Pat McGreal; secretary, Willie Mongan; treasurers, Tom Murphy and Joe McDonnell. Committee: Miss Mary Ainsworth, Mrs. Evelyn Darker, Martin Dolan, Paul Fallon, Joe Mongan, Dan Carroll, Eddie Cunningham, Willie Cresham, Pady Minogue, Joe O’Connor, Ted Ludden Paddy McGough, Larry Bourke, Jr., Paddy McGinty, John O’Malley, Jude Ainsworth and Leo O’Shaughnessy.
The lighting of the shrine was carried out by Messers. William and Michael De-Lacy.
Speaking after the blessing ceremony, His Grace said: “This is a very important day in the history of the factory here in Castlebar and I might say it is an important day for the whole parish because on this day, not only have the employees and all concerned with the factory gathered, but, I might say, the whole parish has gathered to honour the Mother of God and to pledge their loyalty and love to her in a very special way.
“You have erected this statue which is proof of the love you have for the Mother of God.”
Continuing, he said they had enshrined the Blessed Virgin in a very special way and it would remind the people of the parish and especially the factory workers that the Mother of God was now living among them.
He added: “The work was done in very good taste. I do not think I have seen anything like this splendid column anywhere.”
His Grace later blessed a beautiful statue of the Blessed Virgin, enshrined in a limestone grotto, in the Mental Hospital grounds.
The statue, which cost £300, was made from Sicilian marble, and was bought through contributions by the staff. The work of erection was carried out voluntary by the staff.
On arrival at the hospital, His Grace was met by Rev. M. McHugh, C.C., chaplain, and senior members of staff. He was assisted at the blessing ceremony by Very Rev. Nohilly and Rev. Fr. Geraghty.
In the course of his address to a large congregation in the hospital church, the Archbishop thanked the staff for their great generosity in contributing to and erecting such a magnificent shrine and grotto.
The staff of the Mental Hospital deserved to be congratulated, The Connaught Telegraph said, for the way they cooperated with each other order to make it possible to erect the beautiful Marian shrine and grotto. All the staff - medical, clerical, nursing and domestic - subscribed to it.
The male nursing staff, on their off time, did all the excavation work, quarrying and drawing of stones.
Special limestones from the shores of Lough Carra were used in the erection of the grotto. Soil from Knock and holy water from Lourdes formed part of the foundation.
The article said while they did not want to single out any member for special praise but they felt they may be forgiven for mentioning the name of John O’Boyle, a junior member of the nursing staff, who spent over two months continually working on the job, while other members when off duty substituted for him at nursing duties.
Chaplin Rev. Fr. McHugh, in all his free time, was also sure to be found at the grotto.