Nostalgia
Historical Tours of Castlebar and Newport
By Brian Hoban
16, Aug 2008 - 08:52

With just two weeks remaining in August the summer is slipping by and autumn is fast approaching. Why not take a trip down memory lane and join in with the scores of people who have participated in the guided historical tours with local historian Brian Hoban.

Throughout the months of July and August Brian has been leading groups of visitor in local history tours of his native Castlebar each Tuesday and Thursday. He has also led tours in Newport each Friday for the tourist season.

Among the topics covered by Brian in his Castlebar tour are:

• The establishment of a castle by George De Barrie in 1235
• The granting of a charter of incorporation to Castlebar by King James First in 1613
• The defeat of the Redcoats in “the Races of Castlebar” on 27th  August  1798
• The foundation of the Land League by Michael Davitt in The Imperial Hotel on 16th August 1879.

The highlights of the Newport tour include:

• The foundation of the town for the Quakers in the early 17th century
• The return of famous Psalter of the O Donnells The Cathach (Battler) to Newport
• The history of the Achill railway and the folklore surrounding it
• The execution of patriot priest Fr. Manus Sweeney following 1798
• The Harry Clarke windows in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Why not join Brian as he recalls these events makes history come alive in his unique and informative tours? The Historical Stroll of the town of Castlebar starts from The Imperial Hotel each Tuesday & Thursday at 7p.m. The tours of Newport are held each Friday at 7p.m commencing at Hotel Newport.

For more details phone:  087 9234504