Emigration tore the heart out of Charlestown. For generations, young people boarded boats to England, leaving behind empty homes and closed shops—a decline captured in the influential 1968 book The Death of an Irish Town. Some returned to this corner of County Mayo for summer visits, bringing children who spoke with English accents and city manners, only to disappear again across the Irish Sea, leaving the town to its slow decay.
For those who stayed, this bittersweet history might stir resentment, but this week brings at least some comfort—and pride—thanks to Oasis. Liam and Noel Gallagher will perform in Dublin this weekend, reminding Ireland and fans worldwide of their Irish roots and Charlestown’s place as their spiritual home.
“We’re incredibly proud of our connection to the boys,” said John Casey, a well-known Gaelic footballer and local who became friends with the Gallaghers. “They visited often, both before and after fame found them.”
Though born and raised in Manchester, the brothers were brought back to Mayo by their mother, Peggy, who insisted they experience Irish summers. “We’d never seen nettles, haystacks, or open fields before,” Noel recalled in a 1996 RTÉ interview. “It was a culture shock at first, but we grew to love it—and still do.”
Local lore says the young Gallaghers once told skeptical townsfolk they’d be famous someday. After rising to fame in the 1990s, they kept returning to visit their grandmother, Margaret Sweeney, until her death in 2000. They’d stop by pubs, and Liam even hiked Croagh Patrick, a sacred pilgrimage site. “It was cloudy—we couldn’t see much—but he loved it,” said Casey, who joined him on the climb.
Whenever the brothers entered a pub, word sometimes spread, drawing busloads of fans. “It was my first taste of that kind of frenzy,” Casey admitted. “But mostly, we just let them be—no fuss, no bother.”
Charlestown grieved when Oasis split in 2009 and rejoiced at last year’s reunion tour, which arrives in Dublin’s Croke Park this weekend. “There were a lot of relieved people here when we heard they were getting back together,” Casey said.
Over the years, photos and videos surfaced—like Liam joining a trad session at JJ Finan’s pub—but what truly won over locals was their down-to-earth demeanor, a stark contrast to their wild reputation in England.
“There were no smashed guitars—just normal lads who always had time for a chat,” said Donal Healy, marketing manager for nearby Ireland West Airport (Knock).
Healy’s uncle, journalist John Healy, wrote The Death of an Irish Town (also called No One Shouted Stop!), documenting the town’s decline—a fate shared by much of rural Ireland. But since the mid-1990s, both the local and national population has rebounded.
The book’s title echoes an interviewee who lamented that no one in Irish society stood up to say mass emigration wasn’t inevitable. It was the poverty of the 1960s that drove Peggy Sweeney, then a teenager, to seek work in Manchester—where she married another Irish emigrant, Tom Gallagher.Donal Healy remarked, “Gallagher is no more. For Charlestown, it’s almost come full circle—we now have this connection with the family. We’re in the news for the right reason.”
A mural in Charlestown pays tribute to John Healy’s influential book, No One Shouted Stop! The Death of an Irish Town.
Excitement is building as the concerts draw near. Radio stations are playing Oasis songs nonstop, and there’s speculation about whether the brothers might make a surprise visit to the town. A local football team sang Oasis hits in the town square, and a café added “Oasis soup” to the menu, joking, “you get a roll with it”—a nod to their 1995 hit.
“People are visiting the town just because of the connection,” said Karena Finn, showing a photo of Liam with his son during a past visit to her family’s pub, Johnny’s Bar.
Anne, a visitor from Scotland who had returned to Ireland for a holiday, praised the Gallaghers for staying true to their roots. “For all their flaws,” she said, “they never forgot where they came from.”
FAQS
### **FAQs About Charlestown’s Connection to Noel Gallagher & Oasis’ Return to Ireland**
#### **General Questions**
**1. Why is Charlestown connected to Noel Gallagher?**
Charlestown is Noel Gallagher’s ancestral hometown—his father, Tommy Gallagher, was born there before moving to England.
**2. When did Oasis last play in Ireland?**
Oasis last performed in Ireland in 2009 before their breakup. Their return would be their first show there in over a decade.
**3. What do locals say about Noel Gallagher’s ties to Charlestown?**
Locals take pride in the connection, seeing it as a full-circle moment now that Oasis may return to Ireland.
#### **Oasis Reunion & Ireland Connection**
**4. Is Oasis officially reuniting for an Ireland show?**
As of now, there’s no official confirmation, but rumors and fan excitement suggest a possible reunion.
**5. Why is this considered a “full circle” moment?**
Noel’s roots trace back to Charlestown, so an Oasis return to Ireland would symbolically bring his career back to his family’s origins.
**6. Has Noel Gallagher ever visited Charlestown?**
Yes, he has visited in the past and acknowledged his family’s history there.
#### **Fan & Local Reactions**
**7. How are Charlestown locals reacting to the news?**
Many are excited and proud, seeing it as a celebration of their town’s link to a music legend.
**8. Are there any Oasis tributes or landmarks in Charlestown?**
While there’s no official monument, locals often share stories and pride about Noel’s connection to the area.
**9. Could an Oasis reunion show happen in Charlestown?**
Unlikely—any major concert would probably be in a larger city like Dublin, but Charlestown may host related events.
#### **Practical Info for Fans**
**10. Where can I get updates on Oasis’ possible Ireland return?**
Follow official Oasis social media, Noel Gallagher’s updates, and Irish music news outlets.
**11. Have Noel or Liam Gallagher commented on this?**
Neither has confirmed a reunion, but Noel has spoken fondly of his Irish roots in past interviews.
