Galway in Days Gone By

Galway In Days Gone By

Published

4 years ago

October 11, 2018

Our Reporter

Taoiseach Sean Lemass at the opening ceremony for Tynagh Mines in October, 1965, which was attended by 1,300 home and overseas guests, including almost 200 who were flown in from Canada on a special charter flight.

1918

New cinema theatre

It is reported that a Dublin syndicate is being put together for the purpose of securing premises in Galway to establish a new cinema theatre on an extensive scale. It has been known that some time ago a popular vocalist contemplated establishing a company in the Gaiety Theatre, but we understand that Mr. J.P. McGurk, who visited Galway last week, intends to run a cinema theatre on Sunday nights as usual, while Mr. John Glynn will run pictures on Thursday and Friday nights.

With regard to the report referred to above, it is stated that the company, which contemplates the establishment of a cinema theatre in Galway, has in view the purchase of Mr. B. Connolly’s premises, which are advertised for sale on Oct. 24 by Mr. John M. Lavelle, auctioneer.

Loss of a life boat

In many respects, the boat “Fear Not”, belonging to Mr. Tom Smith, Salthill, which was wrecked in the gale on Sunday week, may be described as a life boat, for, on more than one occasion, it has been responsible, under the guidance of its owner, for plucky deeds of life-saving.

The craft broke from its moorings in a recent gale and went ashore on the Grattan-road, being badly damaged. The subscription, which is being got up for Mr. Smith in order that he may be able to put it in a proper state of repair, is sure of a generous response.

A boat of the kind is an indispensable asset to Salthill, and none the less so because it is under the private ownership of a gallant old salt like Mr. Tom Smith.

1943

Prom widening scheme

On the proposition of Mr. J.D. Whelan, President, seconded by Mr. J. Cremin, the Council of Galway Chamber of Commerce on Monday night unanimously approved of the plans for the widening of the main road adjoining the Promenade at Salthill by encroaching on the lands away from the seafront.

Mr. J.D. Whelan, who submitted a rough draft of the plans, said that the scheme was a “splendid” one. The islands which, it was proposed, would be laid out at intervals between the new road and the present road would be used as carparks and a kiosk for the sale of newspapers, sweets, etc., would be built.

The scheme would give Salthill a beautiful stretch of road which would be safe for traffic and for children.

The President said that very few people had seen the plans. The scheme would give a big amount of employment that was badly needed at present. It was not proposed at this stage to do any work on the seaward side of the road.

The President said that as the road stood at present it was a death-trap.

Land under threat

In a report on South Park, Borough Surveyor, Mr. J.S. Carroll submitted: “There is evidence that serious erosion has taken place along the seaward boundary of South Park. I understand that this land was at one time covered by high tides. At some period it was reclaimed, principally along the shoreside where a shallow embankment was tipped close to the shore.

“A large portion inside this strip, however, still is below high tide level and would be flooded by a breach in the embankment. As you will readily understand, refuse is easily eroded and I have no doubt erosion has been going on here since the embankment was first formed – I cannot say when.

“I fear that a breach will occur during the coming winter if something is not done to prevent it.”

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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.

Up Next

Killimordaly better able to weather the tough elements

Don't Miss

Artist gets to heart of Anatomy Department

Galway in Days Gone By

Galway In Days Gone By

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2023

Stephen Corrigan

Orla McArdle, Leonie Ryan, Maeve Lohan, Sinéad Armstrong, Maria Lyons and Paul Ryan who were taking part in the Coláiste Iognáid production of 'Joseph' in the Jesuit Hall, Sea Road on February 5, 1991.

1923

Training ex-soldiers

A meeting of the committee of Galway Technical Institute was held on Tuesday, Mr. Eraut presiding.

The secretary, Dr. Webb, stated that there was a deputation outside from the Galway Carpenters’ Society in reference to the offer made by the Ministry of Labour to the committee to have up to 100 ex-soldiers trained in the institute in various crafts from joinery to thatching houses and making tin cans.

The difficulty he foresaw in regard to the scheme was to train maimed ex-solders and for this the Ministry of Labour was willing to give the committee 15s. per head per week. It was a money-making scheme so far as that committee was concerned, and would result in bringing a good deal of money into the city, because there would also be certain allowances for the wives and dependents.

He estimated that it would mean something like £200 or £300 per week. It was a question for the committee whether they would provide these classes. He had inquired from an authoritative source whether the training of these men would be likely to interfere with the employment of the recognised carpenter, and he was informed in the negative.

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.

Galway in Days Gone By

Galway In Days Gone By

Published

1 week ago

January 26, 2023

Stephen Corrigan

Taking part in the West of Ireland Bridge Congress at UCG in April 1983 were Phil Carey, Newcastle, Eileen Murphy, Taylor's Hill, Carmel Howard, Cross Street and Claire Burke, Salthill. This year’s Bridge Congress is taking place next week at the Ardilaun Hotel from February 3 to February 5.

1923

Islanders’ distress

A correspondent sends authentic particulars of distress prevailing in the Islands of Aran. There is extreme poverty in Inishmore, especially in Killeany; large numbers in the village are on the verge of starvation, kept alive by the charity of neighbours, with scarcely a healthy child amongst them.

The people own no land, notwithstanding that the Congested Districts Board has a large tract; they fish and labour when the former is profitable or practicable and when the work can be found. To-day they are without either.

Similar stories come from other island villages. Yet last October Mr. Blythe stated in the Dáil that £1,000 had been granted for the relief of distress on the islands. The money was placed at the disposal of the Galway Rural District Council, which refused to have anything to do with the scheme.

Accordingly, the grant was never made. It is alleged that the inhabitants of Inishmore have refused to pay rates, but islanders state in reply that rates were not collected for some two years, nor were demand notes issued. The whole position is so grave that it should be looked into without further delay, and we understand that all the circumstances have been referred to Deputy O’Connell for this purpose.

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.

Galway in Days Gone By

Galway In Days Gone By

Published

2 weeks ago

January 19, 2023

Stephen Corrigan

Students Yvonne O’Byrne, Edel Comer, Janice Butler, Orla Casserley, Lisa Small, Sinéad Irvine, Emer Burke, Alva McManus and Ciara Hanley who took part in the Dominican College, Taylor's Hill, production of the musical 'My Fair Lady' at the Rosary Hall in January 1998.

1923

Narrow escape

A party of four men, who arrived in the village in a motor-car, engaged in a murderous attack on the barracks occupied by the unarmed Civic Guard at Ahascragh, Ballinasloe, about three a.m. on Wednesday.

Shots and bombs were fired through the windows, and some of the sleeping guards had narrow escapes from bullets, and subsequently had to dash through the petrol-inspired flames for safety.

The village is a peaceable one, and the Guards have recently been carrying out their work in it with quiet efficiency. During the recent warfare, there had been no disturbance in the neighbourhood.

The Guards retired as usual on Tuesday night, and about three a.m. on Wednesday morning they were awakened by the crash of rifles.

A moment later flames sprang up, and it was seen that the barracks had been sprinkled with petrol and fired. Bombs were first fired through the windows, then petrol was thrown in, and the place was set on fire.

The small body of four Guards found themselves compelled to seek shelter from the bullets, and then they had to make a dash to escape the flames that were springing up around them.

Sergeant Rodgers had an exceedingly narrow escape, a bullet grazing his head. Guard Grimes was sleeping beneath a window when it was broken and petrol thrown over his head.

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.