Learning from and about our past in Castlebar

 What an engaging and educational evening we had in Christ Church Castlebar on Thursday 13 February, with a lecture delivered by Dr Michael O’Connor to mark The 200th Anniversary of the Decision to Rebuild Christ Church Castlebar. This lecture had been planned for November but had had to be postponed at that time due to snow and icy conditions underfoot. The turnout on this rescheduled occasion was especially good considering the inclement weather. Many of those people present came with substantial knowledge of Castlebar town and the history of the parish, yet all were in agreement that Dr O’Connor’s research presented fresh insights and raised some interesting questions; for example, Was the church renovated or rebuilt following the infamous fire? How was the fire started? Was the church always surrounded by its present day boundary wall? What about the in-filled window in the tower area, over the church’s main internal entrance? And more. The audience was also treated to a slideshow of intriguing photo images and of maps dating back to the 17th century.

The lecture was concluded with a short Q&A session, an expression of thanks to Dr O’Connor, to attendees and to parishioner organisers, and a cup of tea. 

















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