a cairde......1951.....castlebar was treated to entertainment magnifique....baileys hippodrome rolled into town......they were an unknown commodity at the this their innaugral visit but by the tim they left they had captured the hearts of the people.....gaby bailey was the star and his troupe were talented beyond the imagination ......the first idea of their coming were the posters all over the town pasted on every available wall and space by our own very jack cassidy.....local town crier....the fair green was the established show business site.....and i remember very well the trailers and caravans rolling down mchale road to their fair green venue.....i remember the excitement and thrill of seeing the tent{big top} ....go up......the big mast being hoisted and the ropes and pulleys tightened the supporting poles were made upright ......the seats were quickly put into place .....and then the stage.......we as kids myself mick gavin mickey lacey.....and others stood around awed by the expertise in which everything was assembled......we walked around the caravans hoping to get a glimpse of the entertainers....and perhaps be asked to do something so as to get a free ticket.......opening night came.....and people from mchale road walked in droves to the grand opening......i remember going by the bacon factory....the cannery was new at that time and down at the far end of the building at the t-cross.....a long trailer was parked ....her the factory threw bones ......it reeked ....with a foul smell ....and about 6 million gulls feasted on the bounty.....we made our way none the less to the green......i remember the rush i got when i first noticed the flags flying from the tent masts......we wondered.......and we quickened the pace......sown springfield.....and into the green.......the rush for the best seat in the place ...and eyes periscoping and capturing everybody that was there......the anticipation.....
sceil eile ....la eile.....
........tog go bog e.....