Castlebar

The town grew up as a settlement around the De Barra castle in the 11th century and was later the site of an English garrison. A military barracks operates in the town to this day. Not so surprising then that armed conflict should be the centrepiece of the town's historical heritage. French forces under the command of General Humbert aided a rout of the English garrison in the town during the failed Irish Rebellion of 1798. This was so comprehensive that it would be known as "The Races of Castlebar". A shortlived provisional Republic of Connaught was declared following the victory and John Moore, head of the Mayo United Irishmen and the brother of a local landowner, was declared its president. His remains are today interred in a corner of the town green, known as the Mall. The town received its charter from King James I in 1613 and is today governed by an urban district council, a subdivision of Mayo County Council.

Related Topics:
De Barra - 11th century - English - French - General Humbert - Irish Rebellion of 1798 - Races of Castlebar - Connaught - United Irishmen - King James I - 1613

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It is the location for important festivals and traditions, among which is the International Four Days Walk, when thousands of ramblers take four day excursions exclusively on foot. A well-established blues music festival in venues across the town takes place on the weekend before the first Monday in June each year and the excellent The Linenhall Arts Centre exhibits throughout the year.

Related Topics:
Festival - Rambler - Blues music

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Its local Gaelic football team is the Castlebar Mitchels http://www.castlebar.ie/news/cat_index_13.shtml, a club with a proud and illustrious past which is currently struggling to regain its standing amongst the main clubs in Mayo. McHale Park located in Castlebar is one of the major GAA grounds in Connacht with a capacity of 35,000.

Related Topics:
McHale Park - GAA - Connacht

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~