Someone posted before inquiring which is/was the oldest business in Castlebar? The Connaught Telegraph currently holds the title (est.1828) but until 1943, the oldest firm was William P Gibbons, Merchants, Main Street which opened for business as far back as 1780. They had what was described as a palatial residence and shop in Main Street (Bridge Street) and with solid stone-built stores and out-offices at the rear. They kept their catholic religion and in 1845, when the then Earl of Lucan refused to give a site for the erection of a Convent for the Mercy Sisters, Matthew Gibbons, grandfather of William P, purchased with three other persons, as private individuals the land upon when the Convent was eventually built, to the great annoyance of Lord Lucan.
Mr Gibbons, a bachelor retired around 1943 and died in 1946. His premises were purchased by the Hoban Bros, Main Street who disposed of their own adjoining shop to Frank Nolan.