Galway In Days Gone By

1914

How to economise

Advert: While the war lasts, economy will be necessary. An easy way to economise is to send suits, costumes, or other articles of wearing apparel that have been placed aside because they are too soiled, to Eustace Bros., 110 and 111 Cork street, Dublin, to be dry-cleaned or dyed. The effect is wonderful. The articles are returned looking like new. Suits are tailor-pressed, and carriage is paid one-way on country orders.

Home Rule congrats

At the meeting of Galway Urban Council, Mr. Young, J.P., said it was with exceeding pleasure he rose to propose the following resolution: “That we, the members of the Galway Urban Council, representing the majority of the citizens, congratulate Mr. Redmond and the Irish Party on the passing of the Home Rule Bill, and we trust the new era about to be incepted will be one of greatness and prosperity for all Irishmen.

“With this resolution, we desire to thank the Prime Minister and the great Party which he leads for their strenuous stand in defence of great liberal principles, and we have great pleasure in inviting Mr. Asquith and Mr. Redmond to visit, at the earliest date, Galway City, the ancient and historic capital of the province of Connacht, when we assure them both of an earnest and enthusiastic welcome.” (Applause).

1939

Dominicans’ plans

At a meeting of Galway Corporation, Mr. Healy complained that contractors had left heaps of stones on the roadway at the Dominican church and in the Father Griffin-road. I

It was decided to ask the contractors concerned to have them removed.

Mr. Healy: You should also ask the Dominicans what they are going to do with that site.

Ald. Miss Ashe: They will build on it all right. That was the condition upon which they got it free; or practically free.

Replying to Mr. Healy, the Mayor, Ald. J.F. Costello, said that there would be no sanction given for any new housing scheme until an enquiry would be held.

Claddagh streets

Mr. Healy referred to the condition of the streets at the Claddagh and said he had asked before that one man be allowed to concentrate on the scavenging of that area all the time.

He was taken away every second day at present and when he got back, there was always a job awaiting him that no one man could do.

Ald. Miss Ashe: I suggested a long time ago that one man be left at the Claddagh exclusively. The pony was bought for Claddagh originally.

It was agreed to employ one man, with the Corporation’s pony and cart, exclusively for the scavenging work at the Claddagh in future.

Emigration tide turns

The tide has turned as regards emigration from Connemara. The return of young men and women from England, which started some weeks ago, has accelerated tremendously since Britain’s declaration of war, and if there is any truth that these immigrants are the life-blood of the nation, Connemara will shortly be suffering from high blood pressure.

This might sound like an attempt at a joke, but it is a matter far too serious to joke about. No one will attempt to deny that our men and women have the right to return to the comparative safety of their homeland, but the influx immediately gives rise to a very serious economic problem. How is Connemara going to feed and clothe so many extra mouths and bodies?

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.