From Caistor to Belmullet

The most North Westerly point in Europe, a remote peninsular on the North West coast of Mayo in the Irish Republic and Caistor would have, on face value, little in common ...in fact this couldn’t be further from the truth. The immediate post war years that saw a massive wave of emigration from Ireland to many parts of Britain, America and Australia was to be the catalyst that led so many people from Mayo to settle in Caistor.

The west coast of Ireland was particularly hit hard because of the little indigenous industry aside from agriculture and fishing. Many Mayo people came to Lincolnshire in the late 40s and early 50s to primarily work on the land singling beet and harvesting potatoes. Men came initially to Rothwell and would generally work the season before returning home to Belmullet at the back end of the year. This was a tortuous journey which could often take up to 36 hours, crossing England, the Irish Sea and the full length of Ireland.

The seasonal stay however soon turned to full residency in the early 50s for a few. The plentiful amount of work and also the feeling of community in Caistor serving as a reminder of what they had left behind. More Belmullet people followed and initially stayed with their family and friends who they knew from home. Many of these people stayed and many went onto other areas of Britain, America and beyond, only a few returned to Ireland.

On first arrival there was no place to worship and Mass used to be celebrated in the room above the Red Lion pub and in the British Legion. The swelling ranks of Mayo people and their spiritual needs led to a former print works in Bank Lane being purchased for conversion into a church. All the conversion work was carried out by these original settlers.

Today many of the first settlers have sadly departed but their families and their families families make up a significant minority of Caistor’s population. The Mayo ranks have even been swelled by further Irish decendants from the Midlands and the North of the Country.

The route from Caistor to Belmullet is still a very well trodden one. And it’s not just families returning to visit relations. Many new friends and aquaintances have joined them to see just what the North West corner of Mayo has to offer. The daunting journey of the 50s has been replaced, thanks largely to the low cost carriers and these days the trip can be completed in as few as 6 hours.

An irrevocable link that had its roots in the 1950s has gone from strength to strength... long may it continue!

With thanks to our sponsors.....

A K Construction

John Joyce