Galway In Days Gone By

1914

Hors de combat

Our Gort correspondent writes that it is rumoured that some local men with the British Expeditionary Force in France are hors de combat. Fifteen who recently left town are known to be at the front, of which ten are reported out of action.

A post card from Michael Connair (his brother states) informs his family that he is wounded and in hospital. Two Kellehers (brothers) are said to be among the victims. Several others are reported killed, but no definite information was obtainable.

A deserter named Leech was arrested at Gort during the week, and sent to Galway, from where he had escaped.

Trespass dispute

The adjourned trespass dispute between William O’Malley and Mathias O’Malley, both of Rahoon, was again before the City Petty Sessions.

William O’Malley said that he found six goats, the property of the defendant, trespassing on his land. Mathias O’Malley had a cross-case for sheep, but complainant attributed that to the fact that Mathias O’Malley left a gate open leading into his land.

Mr. Flaherty, summons-server, deposed to the condition of the fences between the farms of the O’Malleys, and suggested that the making up of these on the boreen leading to Mathias O’Malley’s house, would end the dispute.

Mr. Daly, on behalf of Mathias O’Malley, offered to make the fences on each side of the boreen, and both complainant and defendant make up the boundary fences to the satisfaction of Mr. Flaherty. The case was adjourned for a month.

1939

Dance licences

Future applicants for dance licences in Connemara must advertise the dances in Irish or be refused the licences. This is the effect of recent conditions laid down by District Justice Sean Mac Giollarnáth.

The Justice said that under the Act, he was empowered to lay down any conditions he thought fit in the granting of licences, and he considered that dances held in Connemara and especially in Irish-speaking districts should be advertised in Irish. He has therefore issued a warning that in future, he will not grant licences if the preliminary notices in the Press and posters have not been printed in Irish.

Grouse shooting

Reports of excellent grouse shooting come from Connemara, where four members of the recently-formed Galway Gun Club bagged fifteen brace and fourteen brace on two days last week.

The Galway Gun Club, which is a little over a month in existence, now has fourteen members and is confidently expected by Mr. Martin Freeney, High-street, Galway, the organising secretary, that this number will be more than doubled during the coming fortnight,

Encouraged by the fact that there are numerous men in and around Galway who enjoy a day’s shooting, a few enthusiasts decided to form a gun club and the results so far have been most gratifying.

Freedom of Galway

The name of Dr. Douglas Hyde, first President of Éire, will next week be inscribed on Galway’s Roll of Freemen.

In response to an invitation issued by Galway Corporation shortly after the election of Dr. Hyde to the Presidency, the President will attend a meeting of the Corporation in the Aula Maxima, University College, Galway at 12noon on Thursday, to have the Freedom of the City conferred on him. It will be the first inscribed on Galway’s Roll of Honour.

It is expected that the streets of the city, especially along the President’s route to and from U.C.G., will be decorated with flags.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.