Galway in Days Gone By
Galway In Days Gone By
1918
Fiercest gale
Following the wettest month for forty years, came during last week-end the fiercest gale within living memory. On Saturday night the wind blew with hurricane force to the accompaniment of fierce showers of hail and rain.
The aerodrome at Oranmore suffered severely. The groundsmen under canvas had a particularly bad night of it, but the pilots and observers were safely housed in the old Militia shed. The canteen and tents were blown down and the soldiers had to seek quarters where they could shelter. The storm also played havoc with the tents along the railway line, which, we understand, are to be replaced by huts at an early date.
Pedestrianism along the promenade at Salthill was conducted with difficulty, as the wind blew violently through the open channel of the Bay. Cycling against it was a virtual impossibility.
Family record in war
Sergt. Tom Macken, 1st Northumberland Fusiliers, of Eyre-st., Galway, who recently volunteered from Malta for service on the western front, was wounded on Sept. 20. His brother, Walter, was killed in the battle of the Somme last year. Another brother, John, is at present in hospital suffering from wounds.
Coachbuilders’ strike
Twenty coachbuilders employed at Messrs Hughes’, Fahy’s, & Dowler’s works struck work on Monday for higher wages and shorter hours. The men state they have been working from 7a.m. till 7p.m., and that the minimum wage is 34s. per week. They demand an increase of 10s and a reduction of their working hours, with closing at 2p.m. instead of 3p.m. on Saturdays. Two of the strikers employed at Messrs Dowler’s works resumed on Thursday.
1943
Country classics
It is rather extraordinary but, nevertheless true, that there is no demand for the classics among readers in Galway City, but the people from the rural areas continually ask for them and seem never to have enough of them. We have had cases where families living in the country have taken the same classics out year after year. This statement was made to our representative by Mr. S.J. Maguire, Co. Librarian.
Country people also are very interested in good solid Anglo-Irish literature, said the Co. Librarian, such as books by Canon Sheehan, James Murphy, etc., but they also indulge in a little light reading. They are as fond of a good detective novel or a wild west yarn as anybody.
During the last three years, the demand for books dealing with the war is phenomenal and at least three out of four readers that utilise the County Galway Library ask for the latest books on war.
Our representative was interested to learn that the youth of 1943 – both boys and girls – look for books dealing with the war.
The boys are all the time asking for books which illustrate the latest type of ’planes and tanks and are very anxious to read stories written in the lighter vein where the central figure is a pilot of a ’plane or the commander of the tank. Stories about the sea have not lost their fascination and are in constant demand.
“Girls’ school stories and boys’ adventure stories are always in demand,” said Mr. Maguire, “but only a very limited quantity of them is coming on the market now and they are practically unobtainable. However, we have a very good stock of them in the Galway library and we are issuing those gradually.”
The greatest demand of all is for good detective novels and wild west yarns. Mr. Maguire pointed out that this demand was constant because it came from all classes. The professional man as well as the working man is very fond of a good detective story as well as a wild west story.
The Librarian added that they now had in the library a stock of books that would last for the next eighteen months.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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1919
Child deserted
A male child was found deserted outside the Galway workhouse gate on Tuesday morning by a contractor who was taking milk to the workhouse hospital.
The child, which was a few weeks’ old, was taken to the workhouse and baptised a Catholic. The police are investigating the matter.
Harvest prospects
The cold and somewhat harsh weather in late June followed by the practically general drought in July has unfavourably affected crops and stock.
Though cereals have on the whole done well, the drought has caused the straw, notably in the case of oats, to be short, and in some parts of the country the grain heads have not filled properly.
Flax, too, though in a fair crop, is likely to be short, and in some parts of the North it is anticipated that it will be difficult to find water for retting purposes.
Potatoes have wanted rain, but the cases of blight reported are less numerous, especially in the North, than last year. As a result of the drought, pastures are becoming bare, and stock accordingly in some parts of the country are falling off in condition.
Farmers organise
A meeting of farmers took place in Portumna on Friday to discuss a proposal to form a local branch of the Co. Galway Association of the Irish Farmers’ Union.
Mr. B. Geoghegan, the county organiser in addressing the meeting, explained the aims of the association and pointed out the great possibilities of co-operation among farmers.
All those present were completely in favour of the proposal and formed a branch on the spot, the members of which are very keen to induce every farmer in the district to join.
Another meeting will shortly be held for the purpose of selecting a chairman and secretary.
A month for begging
For begging on the footpath leading to the railway station, Patrick Reilly, of no fixed residence, was ordered to be imprisoned for a month when charged at Galway Petty Sessions on Monday.
Sergeant Duffy, who had summoned him, said he was obstructing people going to the railway station. He was an old offender.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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1919
Scandalous profiteering
Loughrea Town Commissioners had an illuminating discussion at last meeting on the prices of coal and butter in county towns.
A letter was received from the Fuel Controller stating that it was the duty of the board as local authority to consult the local merchants, and get from them particulars of the sources of their supplies and the expenses which go to make up their prices in order to arrive at reasonable figures.
They should therefore ascertain from what port the district was supplied, and if from Dublin the prices should be fixed.
Shot on eve of wedding
A respectable farmer named Peter Fahy, Caherkilleen, Athenry, was fired at by some unknown party and wounded on the legs on returning to his home on Monday night.
Mr Fahy, who was to have been married on the following day, spent the evening at the residence of his fiancée, who resides near Loughrea. On inquiries it was ascertained that his injuries are not serious.
His marriage took place on Wednesday.
Bidding farewell
Miss May Dowie, who is attached to Lady Dudley’s nursing staff and has been stationed at Recess for some years, was the recipient of a dressing case and solid silver mirror from the people and also from the staff of the Midland Railway Hotel, on the occasion of her transfer to Roundstone.
Clifden Marathon
A correspondent writes: On Saturday (Peace Day) a four-mile race came off at the Marconi Station over a cinder path encircling the station.
The competitors were Lt. Ainsworth, officer in charge of the military at the Marconi Staion, and Mr. T. Keane, Engineering Department, Marconi Station, for a stake of £5 a side.
There was some brisk betting, commencing at 5 to 1 on Lt. Ainsworth in small money. At flag fall, the confidence of the military in their champion oozed out like Bob Acro’s valour.
Evens were the best terms that could be got by the followers of Mr. Keane. In the first two miles it looked like either man’s win. In the third mile Keane drew away from his man.
In the rest of the race Keane had everything his own way and won as he pleased by a furlong.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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1919
Roads in good shape
The quarterly meeting of the Clifden District Council was held on Wednesday. Mr. E. J. King, J.P., Co.C., Chairman, in the chair.
The County Surveyor reported that all the roads in the district under the direct labour scheme were well maintained during the quarter, and the supply of winter material was making good progress.
Mr. P. H. Conroy referred to the flooding of the road near Kylemore iron bridge, and the Co. Surveyor stated that he was in communication with the owners with reference to the deepening of the river.
With reference to the unexpended balance on the Carna-Recess road, the Co. Surveyor stated that this money was now available for expenditure and that he had suggested a scheme to the Council at their previous meeting and he would be glad to have their views on the matter.
Chairman: I think it would be most unwise to spend this money on a road on which there is not much traffic. This money, I understand, I s earmarked for the Clifden district as we contributed half the cost for the Carna Road. There are several other urgent works. For instance, the Cleggan road, and the road to the Marconi Station, and you all know the cast amount of traffic that is on these roads.
In the Brit’s court
I am convinced that the Irish question cannot be further advanced by prolonged discussion. The subject has literally been “talked out”, and it is clear to all who care to see that irreparable mischief may be done by retaining the open sore on the very threshold of the centre of the British Empire.
That the time for prompt and courageous and clear-visioned action has come is agreed by all men of good-will who are eager to see this thorny problem removed from the path.
Therefore, the next move lies with British Statesmanship. Should the politicians have to confess defeat after the coming attempt at settlement, British democracy can have no further use for them, for they will have failed to fulfil that it expects and they will have struck a reeling blow at British prestige in the eyes of America and the world.
Stunned by lightening
On last Friday week there was severe lightening in parts of Moycullen. Portion of a field in Ballinahallin was torn up, and two boys were stunned for some time by a flash. Heavy rain fell.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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