The "spiritual home" of Liam and Noel Gallagher is awash with social media posts and jovial banter about a possible trip to Mayo after Oasis announced a comeback tour.
The Britpop band, who split nearly 15 years ago and released their chart-topping album Definitely Maybe around three decades ago, have announced dates in Croke Park as part of their comeback tour.
Ireland West Airport near Knock has posted photographs taken of Liam in 2015, holding up a black tee-shirt with white lettering saying "Keep Calm. Mayo for Sam!"
An accompanying post says: "We have welcomed the Gallagher brothers on numerous occasions down the years - always very good with staff and the public. We're hoping they announce a 'homecoming gig’ in the TF Royal Theatre and they can fly in here directly from Manchester!!!!!!!!!"
Other posts suggest "extra dates" in Mayo.
"How about the festival in Charlestown to kick off the mini tour!"
"Could Oasis pull off a miracle in Knock for Mayo!"
Look forward to welcoming the brothers back to their spiritual home in Mayo next summer #Oasis #oasisreunion pic.twitter.com/lzJfYNjM8A
— Ireland West Airport (@Irelandwest) August 27, 2024
Charlestown in Co Mayo continues to claim Liam and Noel Gallagher as two of their own. The boys spent many years travelling back and forth from Manchester to the home of their late grandmother Margaret.
She lived in Sonnagh on the old Charlestown/Swinford Road. Her daughter Peggy, mother of Liam and Noel, still visits her sister in the area.
In JJ Finan's pub in the centre of town, a photograph of Liam from over 20 years ago hangs proudly on the wall.
He is pictured with his arm around John Finan and his wife Bridie who say the Gallaghers are "two very talented lads".
They are seen as regulars here and there have been many impromptu guitar sessions over the years.
Meanwhile, Charlestown GAA posted a picture of Liam Gallagher in 2015 when it says the singer helped the club launch its website.
For the day that's in it!
— Charlestown GAA (@CharlestownGAA) August 27, 2024
Throwback to 2015 when Liam Gallagher helped John Casey launch our website.
We look forward to welcoming the lads to Fr.O’Hara Park next summer when they visit their spiritual home. pic.twitter.com/3n6Qs7SOz4
Former Mayo player and RTÉ sports commentator says the excitement in Charlestown is "off the scale" and his phone hasn't stopped all day, not least from Paul Gallagher, the elder brother of Liam and Noel.
"I know Paul very well and we've been discussing the "media circus" all day since the reunion was announced. I mean he knew it was going to be big news but this reaction has been unreal. It seems everybody loves Oasis, parents and kids alike. Friends of ours have teenagers who adore their music. They weren't even born when Liam and Noel were at their peak."
John says he got friendly with Liam in the 1990s when it was all kicking off for Oasis and he himself was "making strides" on the football field.
"We just clicked and have had so many laughs along with a few pints over the years. He'd drop by our family hardware business in the town and just hang out like he always did as a young lad."
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John told how he climbed Croagh Patrick a number of years ago with Liam.
"It was his idea and off we went on a dirty, miserable day up the Reek. Liam's mother Peggy, his grandmother Margaret and his brother Paul were all part of the pilgrimage and it's a lovely memory.
"People only see the wild rock star persona but there's another side to Liam. He looks after his fitness and over the years you would often see him running in places like Rooskey near Foxford," he said.
John and his wife have seen Oasis perform in places like Wembley and Sydney and he says he's over the moon like everybody else that the brothers are staging a reunion tour.
"I honestly never thought I'd see it happen. It's beyond our wildest dreams." John let out a big chuckle as he added: " Now we just have to get them to perform in MacHale Park and help clear some debts!"
Asked whether Oasis have watched Mayo in All-Ireland finals the answer was an emphatic 'yes'.
"Paul is a fanatic, a super fan, followed closely by Liam. They would tune in wherever they are to support Mayo."
Liam has the tee-shirt so maybe some day...Mayo for Sam.
