Galway in Days Gone By
Galway In Days Gone By
1918
Redmond’s death
The news of the death of the Irish Leader was received in Galway on Wednesday noon with dismay. The bulletins published in the morning papers had led his friends to cherish hopes that he would soon be restored to health; and at first the intelligence was received with incredulity.
It was only when confirmation of the news came from the National Directory that it was realised that it was all too true. City flags were floated at half-mast, and the flags at the National Club was bordered in crepe, while the blinds were drawn. Many people wore mourning badges, and a sense of profound sorrow pervaded the streets.
Tear to the eye
At Athenry Petty Sessions, Mr. Gilhooley, D.I., prosecuted Mary K. Healy, Athenry, for selling British onions without being registered as a retailer. Dr. Comyn, solr., Loughrea, appeared for the defendant and said she pleaded guilty.
She was not aware of the Order, and the moment her attention was drawn to the matter, she wrote to the Ministry of Food, applying to be registered as a retailer of potatoes. That was on February 16, and she got a reply informing her that the last date for requisition was October 8 last, and her application could not therefore be retained. Defendant was fined 1s.
1943
Bishop flays drunkards
His Lordship, the Most Rev. Dr. Browne, Bishop of Galway, stated in his Pastoral Letter: At the present time when so many important foodstuffs are scarce, there is no scarcity or rationing of strong drinks, and there is a danger that money which used formerly be spent on clothes or motor cars is not being saved up, but spent on drink.
In recent years, young people do not seem to realise that those who develop a fondness for strong drink soon become slaves to it; they do not realise the terrible effects on soul and body that result from this slavery.
Intemperance breaks down health of mind and of body; it destroys self-respect, industry and thrift; it makes bad workers and bad farmers, killers and sluggards; it brings misery into homes and corruption into public life.
The drunkard is liable to sell his country; he makes a bad soldier and a bad citizen: he is danger to democracy for his vote in the booth or in the council chamber can be bought.
Up to recent years intemperance was the vice of the male sex: it was regarded as most abnormal and most shameful in a woman. But, unfortunately, those who take their ideas from non-Catholic lands have spread the notion that it is fashionable for women and even girls to drink. The consequences of intemperance in the case of women are particularly lamentable and shameful, for it endangers her honour and virtue.
Even a small quantity of strong drink weakens reserve and modesty and has caused the downfall of girls. Intemperance in women has this other terrible consequence that it affects their children: it defiles the well-springs of the race.
Drinking among women is a sign of decadence and decay in a people. It means that the health and vitality of their children are sacrificed; and when a people tolerates this, they are already degenerate.
Parents should see to it that their children do not associate with those who are fond of drink, and they should not be afraid to use correction against their sons and daughters who break their confirmation pledge.
Better to correct them now, than see their ruin and disgrace later.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
1923
Gloom after war
The special correspondent of the “Independent”, who has been writing of the aftermath of civil war in the West, notes that a feeling of apathy, due to the uncertainty of events, exists amongst the sorely-tried people of Connemara; that politics are referred to only with disgust and that not more than fifty per cent. of the people would vote at a general election; that poverty and unemployment are rife, and there is a growing tendency towards emigration; and that there are bitter complaints of the huge impost of rates and taxes.
It is only too true that there is enough of material for the pessimist to brood over, and that a feeling of gloom permeates country towns. But it is a poor tribute to patriotism that has survived such horrors to encourage this gloom.
It is the duty of all of us to get this pessimism out of the national body and to rid ourselves of the notion that we have not enough Christianity and moral sense left to restore our people to cheerful and ordered progress and industry.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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1923
Peace negotiations
As we go to press, An Dáil is discussing the Peace negotiations between the Government and Mr. de Valera. It was announced on Wednesday for the first time that such negotiations were begun following Mr. de Valera’s “cease fire” proclamation of April 27, and that by the 30th of the month Senators Andrew Jameson and James Douglas were asked by him to discuss proposals.
They said it was for the Government to discuss; they could only confer. Into the ensuring conferences the Government declined to enter personally, but on May 3 the senators placed before Mr. de Valera the Cabinet’s terms, which were that future issues should be decided by the majority vote of the elected representatives of the people, and that as a corollary and a preliminary to the release of prisoners, all lethal weapons should be in the custody and control of the Executive Government.
Mr. de Valera relied to this on May 7 with a document in which he agreed to majority rule and control of arms, but added that arms should be stored in a suitable building in each province under armed Republican guard until after the elections in September, that the oath should not be made a test in the councils of the nation, and that all political prisoners should be released immediately on the signing of this agreement.
“You have brought back to us,” wrote President Cosgrave, “not an acceptance of our conditions, but a long and wordy document inviting debate where none is possible”.
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.
1923
State of the parties
Speculation as to parties after the next Irish elections is exceedingly interesting, especially in view of the enlarged franchise.
In Dublin, the view appears to be held by a number of people that Labour will make a great bid for power.
Dublin, however, has a curiously insular habit of thought where matters that concern all Ireland and in which Ireland has a say are concerned. We hope this insularity will rapidly disappear under the new conditions.
The country as a whole is backing the Farmers’ Party, and has not the smallest doubt that it will be the strongest combination in the next Dáil, and that it will oust the purely political parties, the one because it has resorted to force, the other because it has been compelled to use force to supress force, and the Labour Party because Ireland feels that at the back of its policy lurks the danger of Communism.
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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