Tributes paid to one of Sligo’s ‘most successful merchants’ at ceremony
THE Calry Local History Society paid tribute to one of ‘Sligo’s most successful and wealthiest merchants in the mid-nineteenth century’ at a ceremony last weekend.
Cllr Seamus Kilgannon, Chair of the Sligo Heritage Group unveiled a plaque at the Marian Hall, Calry in honour of Peter O’Connor, the wealthy Sligo merchant and benefactor. The ceremony was also attended by Cllr Hubert Keaney, Mayor of Sligo, and several descendants of the O’Connor family, notably the Clancy, Kelly and Scully families from Sligo. A lecture on the life of Peter O’Connor was given by Gerard Cunningham, Chair of Calry Local History Society. Descendants of the O’Connor family will be in attendance. Sligo County Council will also consider a proposal from Calry Local History Society to name a road after Peter O’Connor in recognition of his enormous contribution to education and the well-being of the poor and needy of Sligo throughout the nineteenth century.
Peter O’Connor (1802-1893) was one of Sligo’s most successful and wealthiest merchants in the mid-nineteenth century. Born in Edenbawn House, Calry, the youngest son of Denis O’Connor, he was a direct descendant of the famous O’Connor Sligo clan.
Amongst his many business enterprises was the Sligo Saw Mills which was situated on extensive lands bordering Lord Edward St and Adelaide St. He was also an extensive property owner in Sligo town and county, and owned much of the land around the Railway Station where a plaque honours his memory. Aside from his business interests in shipping and the importing of flax and timber from north America, Peter was also held in high regard for his philanthropy.
Throughout his life, Peter O’Connor was a very generous benefactor of the poor and needy. He was also a devout catholic and made generous donations to the building fund of Sligo’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, including the donation of the nine bells in the Cathedral tower, along with the clock and the high altar.