The Opening Ceremony connected with the splendid new parochial Hall which has been recently erected in Newport was officially performed by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Walsh, Archbishop of Tuam, on Sunday night last, before a large and representative gathering of people from Newport, Castlebar, Westport and other Mayo towns. His Grace was attended by his Secretary, Rev. Fr. Fergus, and by Rev. Fr. McGough, P.P., Newport, to whose efforts and zeal the new hall is a fine monumental tribute.

For the occasion of the opening an energetic local committee secured the services of some of the best known concert artistes in the West, and these with other lesser known people helped to contribute to one of the most enjoyable evening's entertainment ever provided by any similar promoters or even ever given on a stage in the West. Not by any means the least distinctive and most appreciated members of the corps of contributors were the small band of people, from the town of Newport who, without any previous experience, were able to come forward and give so well of their best that they, won the personal compliment of His Grace and other persons who have long experience of the value of those who are adept on the stage. A great deal of the credit for the success of the little venture, if it could be called so, is due to the active members of the committee who took on themselves to organise such a splendid-programme of items and at the same time managed to see that the whole performance was carried through according to time and schedule and without the slightest hitch of any kind.

The new hall is situated close to the Castlebar side of Newport and is a handsome building, which was designed by Mr. T. P. Flanagan and built by Mr. P. J. Kelly, Westport. To these gentlemen also there is a big measure of praise due for the imposing appearance of the new building as well as for the speed with which the work of completion was carried through and the excellence of the work involved and to them just tribute was paid by Fr. McGough.

It was during an interval in the Concert that the Archbishop was introduced to the audience and there was loud applause as he, after Fr. McGough rose to thank the people for the reception they gave him as well as those who had act or part in the erection of such a magnificent hall, a building which would help more and more to develop their own national culture and would provide many opportunities for the young and old to meet.

In introducing his Grace, Fr. McGough said it was his very pleasant duty to welcome to his native parish the Most Rev. Dr. Walsh, and that expression did not alone spring from his heart but from the heart of every parishioner of the area of Burrishoole, all of which wished his Grace might long live to be the guiding and leading light for the See of St. Jarlath. he would also like to assure Dr. Walsh that they in Newport had now done what already had been done in Mallaranny under the able direction of Fr. O'Malley. They had now got a fine Parochial Hall, and with the assistance of an able committee it was being run. They had had to meet and discuss all their business in the past under inconvenient circumstances, but now that they had a new hall they would be able to meet more often and discuss what was for the good of the town. The members had always been most assiduous in their duties, and he would now like, to formally thank them all. He had also to thank Mr. P. J. Kelly, Westport, the contractor, who had built the hall, and who carried on work at all hours. He had performed his work with great devotion. He also wished to thank his friend, Fr. Vincent Kelly, who had worked like a trojan all along, and who made good use of the experience he gained from his college days. Last, but by no means least, there was the Co. Surveyor, Mr. T. P. Flanagan, who had done more to help towards the erection of the hall than perhaps any other person. Mr. Flanagan was indeed a busy man, but he at all times found time to give them all the encouragement they required, and for that they were deeply grateful. He had kept an eye on their building all the time, and he hoped he would continue to do so in the future.

Fr. McGough went on to explain the purposes for which the hall would be used and he said they hoped to have lectures and the like, as well as billiards, bagatelle and such games, and the people from around could come there and enjoy themselves. In his heart he was very pleased that the Archbishop had taken such an interest in their hall from the very first. He had given generously, but he would not state to what extent, as everyone know how well and graciously he could give. (Applause). Finally, he had nothing more to say except to again thank all those who had contributed to the erection of the Hall and to express the hope that all their efforts would be crowned by success. (Applause).

In an address to the audience the Archbishop said :- " If you will allow me, I would wish to say, first of all, a personal word. It is a very great pleasure form me to be amongst you to-night. Ever since last April, as the priests can tell you, I have been planning to come here and to meet the people; but in various ways my time has been so taken up that I could not get. away. However, I was determined to be here for this occasion. Before l say anything about the hall, I want to tell you that, as soon as ever I can, I am coming to meet all the people of the parish. I am deeply touched by the good wishes and the kind messages and the marvellous generosity of everybody; and later I hope to come and to express to all of you the heartfelt gratitude I feel.

" Coming now to the question of the hall -- It seems to me that a parochial hall is at least a most desirable acquisition, if not a necessity, in every parish. Man is a social animal and therefore, he enters into various relations with his fellow-man. Every community provides the means of carrying on the business relations between citizens; but when a man bids good-bye for a while to business, he must have a certain amount of honest recreation and amusement. Somebody said Iong ago: 'All work and no play"

Now if men must have recreation there ought to exist in every community the means of satisfying that need, and certainly among those needs a parochial hall is one of the most important.

" I have mentioned first a parochial hall as a centre of recreation because this is the function that strikes most people first. But a hall has other functions which are really more important for the community. Every hall ought to be a centre of culture and learning in a parish. For instance you can have lectures on various topics to give instruction and pleasure to everybody; and might I suggest in passing that lectures ought to be provided on really useful subjects for instance lectures on business methods and on various forms of farming that will help the farmer to get more out of his land and his crops. Again, you can have lectures on the arts and the sciences in which many people will be interested, lectures also to continue the subjects one studied at school, so that the hall will be a centre of what we might call Higher education. I would suggest also that vocational subjects might be taught here—such subjects which will make our boy and girls not merely good and useful citizens, but citizens willing to take up a position to earn their living.

I have given you very briefly some of the points that strike me about the utility of a parochial hall; but the fact is such a hall is a never ending source of good and is in fact a necessity. I congratulate Father McGough on the great enterprise he has shown in providing this hall. I am aware of course that he had the valuable help of an energetic committee, who have been working for this hall over a long period. I want now to thank them very heartily on my own behalf and on behalf of the priests and people. Not only the committee but the people have given valuable and enthusiastic help; and to every single person who helped in any way, I say a thousand thanks. I hope that all show the same enthusiasm in getting the hall working on a satisfactory basis. i pray it may be a centre of unity and charity. May it help you to live together in comfort and good cheer; may it be a pledge and a token of the mutual charity and brotherly love that will inspire you in all your dealings. May it be a temple of culture and learning which will enable this town and district to advance more and more in happiness and prosperity in the years to come. "I now declare this hall open and I must confess I do this with feelings of pride and satisfaction because I see you giving a lead to the diocese and the whole country"

Contributors to the concert programme included Marie Ni Scolaidhe of Galway, who sang a number of traditional songs; Mr. J. J. Collins, Castlebar: Mr. Tom, Walsh, Westport;. Mrs. M. J. Flannery, Burrishoole; Mr. Tony Murphy, Miss Eaton, Mr. M.J. Flannery, Mr. K. Collins, Mr. P. Doherty, Mr. P. Cusack, and many others.

The concert opened with a chorus, "Bless This House," sung by the Convent pupils, and from this moment onwards the programme unfolded itself punctually and to the great satisfaction of the large crowd present in the hall. There were humorous items as well as the more sedate matters, and the children were apt pupils at causing much of the laughter which frequently resounded in the building, There was a duet entitled 'Teasing-Granny' and it was excellently spoken and performed by the Misses N. O'Malley and K. Dullihan. There was another one of these spicy items also well spoken and acted by Tony Chambers and Miss Bracken. Miss Mary Quinn gave us "The Forty Bachelors" and Mr. P. Cusack "The Dispensary Doctor" and each helped to make the laughing a non-stop affair. In fact, no better programme of vocal, musical and humorous matter has been seen in these parts for some time, and everyone went home after the feast of amusement feeling grateful to all who helped in providing it.

Connaught Telegraph 1830-current, Saturday, December 28, 1940; Page: 6