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Posted by Johnny Mee on April 10, 2003 at 22:48:04: In Reply to: Re: Christmas Photo quiz 2001 photo 2 - names? posted by Cobblers of Castlebar on April 10, 2003 at 01:42:59:
I have been doing a bit of research and have come up with the following names of cobblers or shoemakers in Castlebar, some of them stretching back over 100 years: Frank Ruane, McHale Road and Charles Street; Willie Begley, Lucan Street; Jimmy Sweeney and Paddy Sweeney, Lucan Street (Jimmy Sweeney was decorated for bravery during the first World War); Martin Lawless, Main Street; Tom McHugh, Castle Street and Belcarra (still going strong, his workshop was a great place for heated debates on many subjects, particularly football, where Des Dunne, Tommy Collins and George Lally often had the craic); John Bourke, Castle Street, Davitts Terrace and Boradruma;'Tasty' D'Arcy, Market Square (I think); Joe Dunne, Staball and Fr. Meehan Place; John Igoe, Spencer Street (his father was also a shoemaker); Paddy Jennings, Wellwear, junction of Newantrim Street/Tucker Street, native of Turlough; Darby Mullen, shoemaker in St. Mary's Hospital, had a workshop at the rere of his house in Spencer Street, known as the 'House of Parliament,' where many weighty matters were discussed with Darby holding court and Paddy Horkan, Pa Higgins, Paddy Golden, Mike Dolan and other local men contributing to the debates. Those last few cobblers go back well over 100 years: Henry Burns, Newtown; Charles Ellison, Castle Street; John Faulkner, Ellison Street; Thomas McGreevy, Thomas Street; Henry Murdoch, Bridge Street; John Staunton, Charles Street. There was a man named Ollington who had a shoemakers business at Rock Square/Spencer Street. He was greatgrandfather to the Ralph families in Moneen. For some reason shoemakers were known as 'Snobs' at one time. Their patron is St. Crispin, possibly an Italian
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