Galway in Days Gone By
Galway In Days Gone By
1917
‘War bread’ unpopular
At Galway Petty Sessions, Mr. Patk. Lydon, baker, Mary-street, was charged under an Order of the Food Controller for selling newly-baked bread under the Defence of the Realm Regulations which state: “that no bread, which has not been made at least 12 hours, shall be offered or exposed for sale, and if any person, in contravention of this Order, assists in the sale, he is guilty of a summary offence”.
Sergt. Dowie discovered Edward Fitzpatrick delivering bread on 22nd May for Mr. Lydon, which was fresh, contrary to the Order. Mrs. Lydon stated that it was her fault, and that the loaves were baked at 11 o’clock on that day, and it was then 3 o’clock. She further stated that it was impossible to sell stale bread, as the customers did not care for war bread when it was stale.
The defendant stated that the last supply of flour was bad. The Sergeant stated that there were 12 fresh and 12 stale loaves in the cart. Mr. Lydon was dined 5s., and Mr. Fitzpatrick, who was in charge of the delivery, was fined 1s.
Inmates without sugar
At the meeting of the Ballinasloe Guardians, the Master reported that he got no sugar from any contractor for the past fortnight. Dr. Rossiter and himself agreed that it was wasteful to serve cocoa without sugar, whatever they might do as regards milk in the tea.
Mr. Keogh said it was deplorable to have the poor old inmates without sugar in their old age. It was decided to write to the Sugar Commission and Mr. J. Cosgrave, M.P., on the matter.
1942
Tug-of-war with fox
Foxes are causing great havoc among fowl in the Errislannon peninsula, near Clifden. They have become so daring in their onslaughts on fowl yards that they carry out their raids in broad daylight, and the housewives are compelled to “herd” their fowl.
One housewife was actually feeding her hens when a fox came up and grabbed one of them. A tug-o’-war ensued between the woman and the fox, and the hen’s tail came away in the fox’s mouth. Another woman lost fifteen hens and a duck in one raid. Another thought her hens were safe until she got up in the morning to find the roost empty and a tunnel running under one of the walls. The foxes have their dens in a hill nearby.
Clann na Talmhan
During the past twelve months the farmers’ organisation, Clann na Talmhan, has made remarkable strides. It has gained very considerably in membership and has established many branches throughout the West, though it is still stronger in the county of its origin than in any other part of Connacht.
The fourth annual convention of the parent executive which is to be held at Dunmore on Thursday next, should provide great encouragement for the President of the organisation, Mr. Michael Donnellan, and his fellow workers in the county.
The public meeting which is to follow it bids fair, despite transport difficulties, to be the largest held under the auspices of the Clann, despite the fact that it already has many very impressive gatherings to its credit.
These demonstrations of the farmers, gay with bands and banners and vivid with enthusiasm, recall the great hostings of the old days before party strife grew bitter with venom and showed a crop of hatred and distrust throughout the land. Through the farmers’ organisation we yet may regain that halcyon Ireland of an older generation, where, no matter what we had to endure from outside sources, out people were united in their loyalty to each other despite surface differences, a pleasant, kindly race such as the old Gaelic poets loved to portray.
The country has been so long hag-ridden by party politics of the meanest type that its resurrection might be deemed impossible, but we refuse to abandon hope.
1923
Gloom after war
The special correspondent of the “Independent”, who has been writing of the aftermath of civil war in the West, notes that a feeling of apathy, due to the uncertainty of events, exists amongst the sorely-tried people of Connemara; that politics are referred to only with disgust and that not more than fifty per cent. of the people would vote at a general election; that poverty and unemployment are rife, and there is a growing tendency towards emigration; and that there are bitter complaints of the huge impost of rates and taxes.
It is only too true that there is enough of material for the pessimist to brood over, and that a feeling of gloom permeates country towns. But it is a poor tribute to patriotism that has survived such horrors to encourage this gloom.
It is the duty of all of us to get this pessimism out of the national body and to rid ourselves of the notion that we have not enough Christianity and moral sense left to restore our people to cheerful and ordered progress and industry.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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1923
Peace negotiations
As we go to press, An Dáil is discussing the Peace negotiations between the Government and Mr. de Valera. It was announced on Wednesday for the first time that such negotiations were begun following Mr. de Valera’s “cease fire” proclamation of April 27, and that by the 30th of the month Senators Andrew Jameson and James Douglas were asked by him to discuss proposals.
They said it was for the Government to discuss; they could only confer. Into the ensuring conferences the Government declined to enter personally, but on May 3 the senators placed before Mr. de Valera the Cabinet’s terms, which were that future issues should be decided by the majority vote of the elected representatives of the people, and that as a corollary and a preliminary to the release of prisoners, all lethal weapons should be in the custody and control of the Executive Government.
Mr. de Valera relied to this on May 7 with a document in which he agreed to majority rule and control of arms, but added that arms should be stored in a suitable building in each province under armed Republican guard until after the elections in September, that the oath should not be made a test in the councils of the nation, and that all political prisoners should be released immediately on the signing of this agreement.
“You have brought back to us,” wrote President Cosgrave, “not an acceptance of our conditions, but a long and wordy document inviting debate where none is possible”.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
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Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
1923
State of the parties
Speculation as to parties after the next Irish elections is exceedingly interesting, especially in view of the enlarged franchise.
In Dublin, the view appears to be held by a number of people that Labour will make a great bid for power.
Dublin, however, has a curiously insular habit of thought where matters that concern all Ireland and in which Ireland has a say are concerned. We hope this insularity will rapidly disappear under the new conditions.
The country as a whole is backing the Farmers’ Party, and has not the smallest doubt that it will be the strongest combination in the next Dáil, and that it will oust the purely political parties, the one because it has resorted to force, the other because it has been compelled to use force to supress force, and the Labour Party because Ireland feels that at the back of its policy lurks the danger of Communism.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
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