Plan for monument honouring Sligo businessman and politician James Gallagher and family gains support

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

A motion before the March meeting of the Ballymote-Tubbercurry Municipal District received unanimous backing as it seeks to have a monument erected in memory of businessman and politician James Gallagher and his family in recognition of their contribution to the south Sligo community.

In his motion Cllr Barry Gallagher asked “Sligo County Council to erect a plaque or monument in Tubbercurry for the late James Gallagher and family, founders of manufacturing company Basta in 1955, to acknowledge the outstanding contribution to the economic and social development of Tubbercurry, particularly through his efforts in bringing industry and creating jobs for the people of south Sligo. This would leave a lasting recognition of his legacy and service to the communities of south Sligo.”

Speaking to the motion, Cllr Gallagher commented, “They were employing up to 500 people locally in south Sligo. People have said to me that they have seen monuments erected in memory of people who didn’t do half as much.”

James Gallagher served as a TD in the Sligo Leitrim constituency and was elected on four occasions between 1961 and 1977 before retiring from politics prior to the 1981 election which he did not contest.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.