Galway In Days Gone By

1914

United we stand

A review of a large number of Volunteers, composed of companies from Aughrim, Kilconnell, Derrymullen, Cappataggle, Mullagh, Kilreecle, Killoran and Kilmolaw, was held by Captain Cheevers at Aughrim, Galway last Sunday.

The men looked very smart, and displayed a good knowledge of drill. The reviewing officer, with Messrs. Reddy and Duffy, M.P.s, was entirely satisfied with the performance of the men.

Addressing the Volunteers after the march past, Captain Cheevers said he felt proud at being asked to review them on that historic height of Aughrim (loud cheers).

Now that Ireland was a nation once again, they should do everything to make that nation a pride to themselves and an envy to all her enemies (cheers).

Father Coghlan, said there was one company that was mentioned by Captain Cheevers for efficiency, and that was Cappataggle. He was delighted to see that day such a fine body of Volunteers. When the call was given, they obeyed like men. They were now about to enjoy the benefits of Home Rule, and that was due to Mr. Redmond and the Irish Party (cheers).

Mr. W. Duffy, M.P., next addressed the gathering and was received with ringing cheers. He said that within the last few days the wrongs of a century were wiped out by the placing of the Home Rule Bill on the Statute Book (cheers).

It was a long and hard struggle to have it done on account of all they had to contend against.

1939

Unlawfully keeping game

At Ballygar District Court, before Mr. H.C. Hamilton, D.J., Supt. Dunphy prosecuted Christopher Bannon, Castlefrench for unlawfully keeping game (grouse) confined by means of a wire netting, and also for taking game during the closed season (month of July).

Guard Armstrong stated that he visited the lands of Captain French on August 15 and he saw a wire netting enclosure there in which were being kept seven grouse. The defendant admitted that he had captured the grouse in the bog and that he was keeping them for propagation purposes. He could not get authority for netting game and keeping them in that way.

The defendant said that he wanted to preserve the game, and the birds laid more eggs when confined.

Justice: How many did they lay for you?

Defendant: I only got them this year.

Justice: Are they doing well?

Defendant: Very well.

Justice: What do you feed them on?

Defendant: Heather and grain.

Justice: Have you cocks and hens?

Defendant: Three cocks and four hens

Justice: That seems an overdose of cocks (laughter), but that is not in the charge.

The Justice said that this seemed to be an interesting experiment, but it was not legal. He was satisfied that the defendant had no intention of committing an offence and that he was only doing what he a good man could to increase the stock of grouse on these bogs. He would not give any direction as to what he should do in the future, but he would let him off in the present case, which was not a serious offence.

Netting grouse for the purposes of killing them was a shocking thing, but in this case, he was satisfied that defendant’s intention was to help to preserve the stock, though he believed it was difficult to keep the birds in captivity.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.