Galway in Days Gone By
Galway In Days Gone By
1918
Disaster fund
Up to a few days ago, the Carna Disaster Fund had reached the total of £700. This includes a sum of £100 contributed by the Local Government Board following the visit of Mr. Shortt, the Chief Secretary, and a very generous donation of £100 voted by the Irish Derby Sweep Committee.
Rev. M. McHugh, P.P., Carna, writes to us as follows: “Our pro-German friends are industriously circulating the story that the men are safe and sound in Germany. Unfortunately for their story, they entered into particulars, and stated that Michael Hurney, Claddagh Parade, Galway, had a letter from his brother, who was also a prisoner of war, saying that he had seen the crew of the ‘Pretty Polly’ and that they were well.
We had their story sifted to its foundation, and we have ascertained that Michael Hurney has no relative in Germany as a prisoner of war or otherwise; that he has had no letter from any source in reference to the poor men who were lost, and knows nothing whatever about them. As the story may have travelled to Galway, I thought it would be well to let you know the result of our investigation.”
1943
Sweeps for housing
Galway Corporation, at a special meeting on Wednesday, instructed Messrs. J. Redington, P.C., and W. Carrick, delegates to the Municipal Authorities’ Association, to move at next Wednesday’s meeting of the Association: That the cost of the provision of houses for the working classes should be borne by the Central Funds, or a series of Sweepstakes under the auspices of the Hospitals Trust should be organised to provide funds for the erection of such houses.
Ald. J. Brennan said that people could not rear healthy families in houses such as some of those they had in Galway. The Sanatorium was full up, and the Central Hospital was full up.
Water menace
Mr. C.I. O’Flynn, County Manager, promised at Thursday’s meeting of the Galway Corporation to consider a suggestion by Mr. J. Redington, that the tailrace at the waterworks at Terryland should be cleaned. Mr. Redington said that lands adjoining were flooded and there was a danger that the floods would extend to the pumping station and damage the machinery unless something was done. It would seem that the swallow holes were stopped. The Manager said that he had no control over the bodies that dealt with the Corrib.
Letter to the Editor
“Visitor” writes: Visitors to the Galway Races last year were horrified by the inhumane treatment of horses by the incompetent and reckless drivers who ply for hire to and from the racecourse. These drivers seemed to have little or no regard for pedestrians or for the unfortunate animals they drove, and with the exception of the two or three horses which, it is alleged, died in harness from sheer exhaustion, it is miraculous that nothing more serious occurred.
It is hoped that this year the guards, assisted by the citizens of Galway, will make these gentlemen realise that there is a law against cruelty to animals and that the absence of motor traffic does not give them a licence to increase their speed to recklessness. After all, the Galway Races is one of the finest events of the season and it is up to the people of Galway to keep it a sporting event.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune
1921
Impure milk
Impure and dirty milk supplies do a serious injury to our population. Milk is, perhaps, the most important part of the diet of our infants, who will some day have to take their part in the work of the nation.
It is our duty to see that all forms of disease, which are likely to weaken the race by sapping its vitality, should be vigorously battled with. No form of food is so susceptible to contamination as milk, for it is a natural and complete food substance which is eminently suited to the growth of all kinds of disease germs, especially the dreaded germ which is the cause of consumption.
Unfortunately, a large percentage of our milch cows suffer from tuberculosis. The disease may not be apparent to the eye but can be easily detected by the veterinary surgeon by means of the “tuberculin test”. Milk from these cows often contains germs of the consumption which is causing such havoc and misery in Ireland.
Something must be done by public bodies to insist on the testing of suspected cows, and the frequent sampling and testing of public milk supplies. Educational authorities should urge farmers to take a personal interest in the matter and stamp out disease by keeping cowsheds sanitary and paying strict attention to cleanliness of milking.
It must be brought home to the farmer that it is his duty to produce an article which is acceptable to the public by being pure, of high quality, and free from the germs of infectious disease. It is only by working on these lines that the farmer can hope to gain the confidence of the consumer.
Races weather
Nothing is more necessary to the complete success of the Galway meeting next Wednesday and Thursday than the rainfall which is pretty general all over Ireland at present.
I learn from a reliable source that Galway is getting its quota and that the course is in good condition. This is all necessary to induce owners and trainers to send on horses, and I have no fear that runners will be plentiful on both days.
Writing as a metropolitan, I can safely predict a great attendance – one can only wish he could predict other things so surely. On all sides one hears the questions, “Are you going to Galway? Have you booked your room” and a reference to “the fun of the fair,” otherwise the Bazaar, nearly always follows.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1,361 new cases of Covid-19 nationwide
City exhibition explores lockdown experience of children with long-term health conditions
200 submissions received on proposal for expansion of Galway Harbour
Coming up on FYI Galway@5
Henley Forklift group has a fantastic career opportunity for a Forklift Mechanic
Travellers find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place
Residents ‘in hell’ as staycationers party
Decathlon developers failed to take Galway City Council concerns on board
Cycling TD flung from his bike in horror crash
US medtech giant pays almost €40 million for company based at NUIG
