Galway in Days Gone By
Galway In Days Gone By
1920
Arbitration courts
Every well-meaning person in the community must welcome the arbitration courts which have been set up throughout the county to end the system of acquiring possession of lands belonging to others by methods of seizure accompanied by violence and terrorism.
These courts are an exemplification of the fact that Irishmen are inherently law-abiding and peaceable, and that under a purely Irish administration, even-handed justice would be meted out without fear or favour.
Many Unionist landholders have confidently submitted their cases to them, and in no single instance have we heard the justice of decisions challenged.
Last week, we published the Southern Unionist statement to the Government in which it was asserted that Bolshevism was spreading throughout Ireland. The treatment of Mrs Palmer, of Glenlo Abbey, was quoted in proof of this.
But Mrs. Palmer submitted her case to an arbitration court that sat in Galway last Thursday, and we do not think she has any reason to complain of its decision.
Her interests are amply safeguarded, and an accommodation founded on justice has been arrived at.
Although the Press was invited to attend Sinn Féin courts held in Galway some time ago and its representatives were requested to remain while decisions were being considered, the practice of excluding the reporters has been followed in some of the arbitration courts.
In the difficult circumstances with which the arbitrators have had to deal, we do not wish to appear censorious, but we would suggest that the presence of the Press at these tribunals affords a real safeguard to all concerned.
The record of the proceedings is the criterion by which the public can best judge. In certain circumstances, full publicity might raise difficulties, but the sooner these difficulties are overcome and the arbitration proceedings conducted in the full light of day, the better.
The Press is the greatest pillar of liberty that exists. We who claim that it should remain unfettered and who detest secret tribunals should secure as far as in us lies that justice shall be practiced in the open and that all people shall benefit by the knowledge that this is being done without fear or favour by Irishmen in Ireland.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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1921
Silence is golden
Leaders on both sides have stated that the best assistance the country can give in the making of peace is to keep silence.
During the past week there has been a great deal of speculation, most of it harmless enough, as, for instance, the enterprising American journalist’s “exclusive” on the first meeting of the British Premier and the President of the Irish Republic; much of it positively mischievous, as the case of the efforts of a certain journal, which has grown hoary in the reputation for throwing in the apple of discord, to anticipate failure in advance.
Our American colleague was on surer and on safer ground when he told of how de Valera and Lloyd George met.
“Mr. Lloyd George,” he cabled, “was sitting at his desk when the Irish President entered. For just a minute these two gazed fixedly at one another. Then the British Premier walked across the intervening space and shook de Valera by the hand. He led him to a seat where they sat side by side. The atmosphere was tense. They faced one another. Then Lloyd George reached down for a box of cigars. But the Irish President is of Spartan mould. He neither permits himself to drink nor smoke. He politely but firmly waved the box away. Mr. Lloyd George, however, selected and lighted a Havana, and as the smoke curled upwards the atmosphere became decidedly easier!”
Good planning
The wise and practical man always lays by a store against the time when supplies will be scarce. One of the most serious effects of the prolonged drought is the scarcity of supplies of fodder for cattle-feeding during the coming winter and spring.
The hay crop is not more than half the average yield. The corn crop is far below normal. Turnips in many districts are a partial failure. We have frequently emphasised the importance of growing catch-crops to supplement other feeding stuffs raised on the farm, but it is only under circumstances such as the present that their utility is brought home to farmers. Owing to the early harvest, a larger area than is usual can and should be put down this season. This would make good, to some extent, at least, the shortage of hay and other feeding-stuffs.
The demonstration plots laid down by the County Committee of Agriculture have shown that catch-crops, such as vetches and rye as well as other mixtures, can be successfully grown in all parts of County Galway.
We would urge on farmers the desirability – nay, the necessity – of procuring seed and making early preparation for the sowing of an increased area of catch-crops this season.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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1921
Peace at last
Hope “hath happy place” in this land of ours to-day. Those who disappoint it are the enemies not only of Ireland, but of civilisation. Before proceeding to the preliminary conference with Mr. Lloyd George at 10, Downing-street, yesterday afternoon, Mr. de Valera said that he thought the outlook for peace both from the British and Irish points of view was better than it had ever been in history.
The Irish leader would not make this statement unless he had good grounds for it. We may accept it as the confident prediction of one who has proceeded with extreme caution throughout these momentous negotiations.
Yet patient confidence in ultimate justice and patient endurance for a little are needed. There are those who would, if they could, thwart the coming of peace, but they will be borne aside by the widening will to peace, and the larger outlook that the coming of the Truce has brought.
The agony of these days that are past, as we hope for ever, is like a nightmare. Only last week, the pages of the “Tribune” told of the trials and tribulations through which the mothers and sisters of County Galway had gone. The stories related at the Quarter Sessions afforded some index of the hell of ceaseless apprehension and the dread which the women and children have had to bear for many months.
It would seem as if there could be no requital for their sorrows upon this earth. But there is sometimes a balance of justice in human affairs. To-day, as Ireland hopes and prays, this balance is about to be meted out as a common national inheritance.
The Truce has been observed in the spirit of mutual forbearance, good-will and generosity. One can conceive that the horrible conditions of the past nine months will ever be recalled. Indeed, there is no person who would desire or contrive at such an eventuality. Its very contemplation makes us fearful of the outcome of these fateful conferences.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
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1921
Theft in Renmore
At about eleven o’clock on Saturday morning two employees of Miss Behan, carrier and forwarding agent, Galway, delivering a quantity of groceries, cigarettes, etc., at the Army and Navy Stores, Renmore, were held up at the turn of the road leading into Renmore by six men who had come down from the Oranmore road.
The drivers were requested to stop the horses, and this being done, two members of the party searched the cars minutely. One of the two who had searched the cars took away a box of containing a quantity of cigarettes to the value of £30.
The drivers reported the matter on arrival at the military barracks and subsequently investigations were made but without success.
Death in pavilion blaze
Set ablaze early on Friday morning last, the pavilion at Athenry tennis and cricket ground was destroyed. Half buried in the debris on the morning following were found the charred remains of a human being.
Shortly after midnight many of the inhabitants of Athenry were awakened by the lurid flames from the north side of the town which shone all over the place. After some time, the local R.I.C. visited the place and found the pavilion had been almost gutted and gone beyond any hope of salvage.
They, however, succeeded in removing a quantity of the wool which the caretaker, Mr. P. Doherty, had stored in an adjoining shed. Delph, costly cutlery, linens and furniture to the value of £100 were reduced to ashes, as were also two sets of harness and a small sum of money, the property of the caretaker.
When the place ceased smouldering on the following day the charred remains of a human being rendered unrecognisable by the flames were found in the cellar.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
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