New video gives life to Cindy's famous visit to Castlerea pub
Cindy exiting the pub in 1958. The moment was captured by local photographer, the late Patsy Glynn Snr.
Ireland's Past in Motion has given life to the famous story of Cindy the elephant exiting a Castlerea pub back in the 1950s.
Ireland's Past in Motion unlocks rare, never-before-seen videos animating Ireland's rich history—from ancient castles and folklore to iconic landscapes.
According to the history books, the story goes that Cindy became famous when local photographer, the late Patsy Glynn Snr, took a picture of her coming out of Stephen Mannion’s Bar on the Main Street in the town in June 1958.
While parading through the town, before a circus performance, Cindy wandered into the pub. Patsy Glynn Snr captured the moment and the photograph appeared in many newspapers and in the vintner’s magazine with the caption ‘customers come in all shapes and sizes’.
When Cindy died in Athenry in 1972, there was much discussion as to where she would be buried. Castlerea Town Trust offered a site at the Demesne and Cindy was buried there.
It wasn’t until 2014 that local man Seán Browne got the brainwave to mark the gravesite and with the help of local businessmen Benny O’Connell and John Keenan and the expertise of stonemason Declan Hawthorne, his dream became a reality. Chris Kane from Williamstown wrote the epitaph, “Cindy the elephant gone to the great kingdom beyond the skies 1972". The grave has become quite popular with locals and visitors alike.
Castlerea Men’s Shed have worked hard over the years to ensure that all who pass along the Demesne trail are able to see Cindy’s final resting place and rest a while themselves.
*To visit Cindy’s grave, enter the Demesne through the gate on the Ballindrimley Road and walk along the path until you are opposite the entrance to Cahill’s SuperValu/Mart.
To watch the footage visit: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1330394532118306
