Prior to the building of the Castlebar Lunatic Asylum, all Mayo Patients were accommodated in Ballinasloe Lunatic Asylum. Ballinasloe served all Connaught. A building at Station Road in Castlebar was used for the incarceration of insane persons. It was known locally as Mad House Hill. This was a long rectangular building that could house 30 or 40 people. The building was close to Spencer Park. It was known officially as The Bridewell but locally it was known as The Chatterhouse. Patients who were awaiting transfer to Ballinasloe were held there. They were later transported by the Royal Irish Constabulary to Ballinasloe
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