Fairs & Marts / Headford

Includes

• Letter from GCC to P Kyne, Caherlistrane, advising GCC ‘has no control over the Fairs at Headford’ (1955-09-16).
• Fair Rights questionnaire, indicating that the right below to Richard Geraghty, High St. Headford, indicating there are 52 weekly markets, and detailing the number for each type, such as cattle, sheep, pig and horse, and details of the tolls charges (25 Feb 1961).
• Letter from GCC to legal representatives of Geraghty asking if he would be willing to sell the fair rights to the Council, and if so at what price (9 May 1968).
• Petition signed by the 91 of the ‘People of Headford’ (approx. 95% of the residents) and ratepayers) demanding that the fairs be removed off the streets’ (Aug 1968).
• Correspondence relating to GCC obtaining a loan of £3,000 to acquire the Toll Rights in Headford (1968-70), indicating GCC intent to ‘cease to collect tolls and to provide a Fair Green’ (25 Mar 1969), with the Dept of Local Government enquiring if the proposal was considered ‘in the light of fact that the present trend in the marketing of livestock is towards the use of marts in place of the traditional fairs and markets’ (24 Jul 1969). Also Manager’s Order No. 165 approving acquisition of Headford Fairs and tolls rights including weigh-house, weigh-bridge, and other related property, for £3,000 (13 Jan 1971), and sale of Toll completed in Jun 1971 (25 Feb 1972). Includes key for Headford Weigh Bridge.
• Correspondence relating to the acquisition of a site for a Fair Green (1970-’71), include internal memo from the Deputy Co. Engineer to the Co. Secretary advising ‘there is some doubt as to the need to provide such a Fair Green.  The adjacent Cattle Marts of Tuam and Ballinrobe do appear to be having a cumulative effect both in sheep and castle, on the viability of Headford Fair’ (23 Mar 1971).
• Lists with dates of various fairs in different years, generally for inclusion in Old More’s Almanac (e.g. 1974-1982)
• Internal memo relating to the demolition of the old weigh house near Heneghans’ Guest House (10 Nov 1972).
• File note relating to telephone call with Garda Station indicating ‘no fair held in the town anymore and there hasn’t been for years’ (15 Sept 1981).
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