Galway In Days Gone By

Galway In Days Gone By 

1914

Possibility of invasion

In local circles, one of the subjects most frequently discussed is the possibility of invasion. We have to remember, however, that even if some straggling German cruisers should get through to here, which is unlikely, the Atlantic squadron lies beyond our shores, patrolling up and down, night and day.

Moreover, aeroplanes skirt the shores, and keep a look-out to sea at frequent intervals; and only a week ago, one of these air-patrols was seen by early risers flying low along the coast.

Although Galway, and indeed, the Western Irish coast generally are practically devoid of permanent fortifications, thus admitting the suspicion that if England were in trouble, she would leave Ireland to take care of herself, it is a well-known fact that, upon the approach of an enemy, landing could be rendered practically impossible by a well-devised system of submarine mines.

For instance, the entrance to Galway Bay, at Aran, could be mined well within a couple of hours. In this way, a landing in force at any well-known harbour could be prevented – provided, of course, the enemy did not steal in unobserved, which, in present circumstances at any rate. Is quite beyond the range of possibility.

The Government, however, would have been well-advised to have established a harbour on the Western Irish coast, to which foodstuffs could easily be conveyed from the colonies in time of war, and communications kept up almost in any eventuality.

1939

Preparing for War

“The war may come at any minute, probably tonight or tomorrow,” telegraphs our London Correspondent at 4pm on Thursday. “I think the Hungarian affair was a ‘blind’ and that the German army is prepared to attack Poland, which holds that with its well-equipped army mobilised, it could keep the Germans at bay even without assistance for six months.

All London police officers who were away on leave have been recalled, and all leave has been stopped in the case of police, army and navy.

Poteen makers

How a party of Gardaí came across a poteen stil under full steam and attended by two men in the small hours of the morning at Burnthouse, Oughterard, was told at Oughterard District Court, when Thomas Carter was charged with illicit distillation and possession of poteen.

Garda Keaney said that on April 14, he was on duty with Gardaí Daly and Twomey at Burnthouse. When they approached a fire which they had seen in the distance at 1.30am they saw defendant and another man working at a stil making poteen.

Witnessed jumped out and caught defendant. The other man ran away, Witness and the other Gardaí seized one five gallon jar and five naggin bottles, all full of poteen. They also seized the still and two forty-gallon barrels.

Mr. L.E. O’Dea pleaded guilty on behalf of the defendant and said that he had lost the stil and worm, which cost him ten or twelve pounds. It was the first occasion upon which he had been charged.

District Justice Sean Mac Giollarnath imposed a suspensory sentence of three months’ imprisonment, not to be enforced if defendant is not convicted of a similar charge within the next three years.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.