I visited Castlebar in the mid-70s and haven't been back since. My family, on my father's side, lived there in the late 20s early 30s. My grandfather was Charlie Reynolds who had a dance band. I believe that some of the shows were broadcast on the radio and, when I visited, people remembered him. There is a pub opposite (or close to opposite) the Humpbert Inn and the propieter recalled my Grandfather. I can't remmber the pub's name. If it's still going, although I don't know whether the proprieter would still be alive, I'd appreciate the name and the street.

My Mother's side came from Galway and were Lydons. If you know the bakery, you'll get the drift. Unfortunately, she didn't come from the enterprising side of the family. Danny Lydon, ex Railway Hotel, and recently deceased, was her brother. Funniest man on the planet.

As regards pubs, I spent New Year's Eve in the Humpbert in 1975. The hospitality was incredible. For some reason, when people found I was from overseas (Australia) and had connections with Castlebar, I was not allowed to put my hand in my pocket for the rest of the night.It took me 20 mins to walk to the inn from my old aunts' place (long deceased - they were named Ridge). I crawled home on all fours in the record time of four hours. I guess Guiness does that to an uninitiated 20 year old - well, 12 pints does.

I have one more question. When I was there, an article was published in the Parish magazine. Thre was a photograph from the early 30s, with the caption 'where are they now'. My father was in the photo. I had a copy of the magazine, but lost it. If the Parish has scanned photos from that era, I would be interested. Grandkids and all that.

Anyway, a wonderful site and asociated links. All the best.

Pete Reynolds