Queen made secret visit to Westport

WHEN PHILIP MET ELIZABETH Philip ‘sound,sound’ White met up with ‘The Queen’ on Bridge Street last week. Pic Conor McKeown.

John Durcan – Queen for a day


Daniel Carey

THE real Queen Elizabeth may not have made it to Mayo during her State visit – but her identical twin did, in the form of John Durcan.
Motorists on Westport’s Bridge Street were surprised to see Her Majesty hitching a lift and shaking the hands of passers-by last Tuesday afternoon. A courtesy call to The Mayo News was followed by a lengthy ‘walkabout’ around town. Rumours that the royal tour of Westport ended with the ‘Dancing Queen’ giving it socks in the Castlecourt Hotel remain unconfirmed.
Carracastle native Durcan, best known for dressing up as St Patrick at Mayo football matches, said that being queen for a day was “absolutely brilliant”. He got a “very positive” reaction from most people, he told The Mayo News.
“I was very aware that you could get nasty people making comments, but the only ones who gave out to me were non-nationals. A few of them said ‘you’re not wanted here’. But it’s one of the best acts I’ve ever done.”
The retired Army man, a veteran of the Congo campaign, has “about 40 masks” of famous figures, including Osama Bin Laden and Ian Paisley. He was “dared” into donning the Queen’s visage by SeΡn Cawley, and his standard ice-breaker – “It makes me so happy to be in this wonderful country … and we apologise eight billion times” went down a storm with English and Irish people alike.
“I have to say, the craic was mighty,” he added. “I got more abuse as St Patrick outside Croke Park! I was very wary, but it was very amicable. I can’t give it up. It keeps me going. What’s wrong with being humorous? I’m 66 – and acting like a 16-year-old!”
Durcan has plans to record a rebel song as the Queen, and despite wearing a mask, he was instantly recognised by many people who’ve grown used to seeing him in character.
“A lot of people knew and said ‘Howya St Patrick’. Jesus, I can’t do anything! If there’s a bank robbery and the robber puts on an Osama Bin Laden mask, I’ll get the blame!”
The royal visit to Westport included a stop-off at a bookmakers, and his unexpected arrival left at least one punter smiling.
“He came into Ladbrokes and started shouting,” reports Fahy, Westport native Anthony Cusack. “So I put money on a horse called Baby Queen which was running at Nottingham and it won at 8/1! He’s not a bad fella!”