Galway in Days Gone By

1914

National Volunteers’ growth

At the dawn of day on Tuesday morning, as a cargo steamer, loaded with general merchandise, was putting into Galway harbour, she was held up by the second-class cruiser Diamond (Commander Dundas) and examined for contraband arms and stores.

After a most searching examination, she was permitted to proceed to port. The Congested District Board’s boat, ss. Granuaile, is also said to have been held up before being allowed into the docks.

Commander Dundas, who is cruising the western coast from Galway to Donegal, is keeping a most vigilant watch on all class of craft. The cruiser, which is in almost continuous communication with Whitehall and Dublin Castle, has confined her attention almost exclusively to Galway Bay for the last three days. At present the second-class cruiser, Falmouth, is keeping guard over the Bay.

In view of the report that arms were landed in Connemara from America with the last month, it is a significant fact that the Maam Valley Volunteers have been notified that they can obtain arms upon application, and as soon as they are deemed efficient to carry them.

The University Corps of the Volunteers are armed with miniature B.S.A. rifles, and some excellent marksmen have already been trained.

1939

Little bidder

When a beautiful specimen of Connemara pony was being auctioned at Ashford livestock sales on Friday, five or six people started to bid. The bidding had reached ten guineas when a little girl ran out in front of the auctioneer, and, putting up her hand in schoolroom fashion, whispered shyly “eleven pounds”.

The crowd immediately arose to the occasion and there were shouts of “leave him to the little girl”. There were no further bids, and the hammer fell on the child’s bid.

She was Miss Josephine McGuinness, thirteen-year0old daughter of Mr. R.J. McGuinness, Castlebar. A ‘Connacht Tribune’ reporter learned that the pony originally cost £30. He was nine years old.

Value of human life

Judge Wyse Power remarked at Thursday’s sitting of the Galway Circuit Court that it was an interesting commentary on the value placed on human life in these days that, instead of being indicted for trying to take his life, a man from Headford-road, Galway, was indicted for setting fire to a dwelling house, the property of Galway Corporation.

The accused man pleaded guilty. His solicitor, Mr. L.E. O’Dea said that on February 21, McDonagh was not in his proper senses; he was, in fact, blind drunk. Not alone did he set fire to the bed in the house, but he went into the bed when he set it on fire.

The man was addicted to drink at the time, but he had since taken the pledge and there was a letter from his parish priest to that effect.

Replying to a question by his lordship, Mr Kelly (State Solicitor) said that no real damage had been done to the house. It appeared the man’s object was to commit suicide. His wife said her husband was alright now and worked fairly regularly.

His lordship discharged the accused under the Fist Offenders’ Act.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.