The Mayo News

Joe lays down his craftsman’s tools

The era of traditional tradesmen came to an end in Westport last week, when Joe Cameron retired

News Feature
Neill O’Neill

ALMOST half a century of hammering and stitching came to an end last Friday when Joe Cameron dusted down his overcoat for the last time in his shop near The Octagon in Westport. His cobbler’s shop was the last surviving traditional craft workshop in Westport town, and its closure marks the end of an era when people earned a living from time-honoured artisan trades in the town.
Joe Cameron got involved with his life trade when he began working in the old clog factory on the Distillery Road in Westport many decades ago. When this closed down he spent a period working with Tim Sullivan – a well-known shoemaker on James Street – before going to Naas, where he also worked in the shoe business for a short period. Upon returning to Westport he was asked to repair a shoe by someone and thus began a career that has lasted ‘til last week, with Joe’s skill clearly evident in the fact that his business has never waned, even in an era much different to that in which he began mending shoes.
After initially setting up on High Street, Joe moved his workshop to Peter Street 49 years ago, and remained there, loyal to the people of Westport, until last Friday. Last year, Westport Town Council bestowed its highest honour – a civic reception – on Joe, in recognition of his ‘skilled craftsmanship and valuable contribution to the people of Westport’.
Then Cathaoirleach of the Council, Tereasa McGuire, spoke glowingly of Mr Cameron as ‘one of the original skilled craftsmen left in the town’. She described how he had built up a strong business without ever changing the landscape of his environment, consistently adhering to the craftsman’s skills he developed in earlier years. In recognition of his long service to the town of Westport, Mr Cameron was fittingly presented with a plaque that night which bore the inscription ‘Keeping the sole in Westport’.
Joe was born on Peter Street and now lives at St Mary’s Crescent with his wife Carmel. The couple have three daughters, one son and several grandchildren, all of whom still live locally.
His brother-in-law is Castlebar town councillor Johnny Mee, who describes Joe as a ‘gentleman to his fingertips.’
“I’ve known him for over 50 years and he still comes to visit us every week with all the news from Westport,” said Mr Mee. “The Cameron family go back seven or eight generations in Westport and Joe is the quintessential Covey and is proud of the town and the people in it. His interest in his birthplace has never waned.”
Johnny describes Joe as a quiet, unassuming family man, and a perfectionist in his work.
“In an age when craftsmanship has all but disappeared Joe is one of the few left in the county,”  he said.
As his family grew and the world modernised, Joe continued to run his cobbler business from his small workshop at the side of O’Malley’s pub just off The Octagon. His workshop managed to keep its rustic old world appearance and charm over the years, and many of Joe’s tools and implements are now being given to Clew Bay Heritage Centre at theQuay, where they will be put on display for the duration of their well-earned retirement.
O’Malleys pub (including Joe Cameron’s workshop) was bought recently by Westport businessman Noel Kavanagh, and now forms part of the adjoining Wyatt Hotel, which he owns. The premises will be renovated but will continue to run as a pub – separate from the bar at the Wyatt – for the foreseeable future.
However, the famous former resident will not be forgotten.
“Joe’s contribution to Westport has been immense and unfailing over the decades, and in order to ensure that this is remembered beyond his retirement the new bar at the Wyatt Hotel will be called ‘The Cobbler’s Bar’ as a tribute to him,” said Mr Kavanagh, who was on hand to see Joe closing one of the true doors to Westport’s past for the last time on Friday.

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