Galway in Days Gone By
Galway In Days Gone By
1917
Docks development
A correspondent this week strongly criticises the public men of Galway for their want of activity in regard to the development of the Harbour and Docks. It is not possible at this time, owing to war exigencies, to state the lines which such developments might follow. The conditions of any immediate development of the harbour have materially altered since the Board of Trade acceded to the request of the Harbour Board in 1914 and granted a loan of £60,000 for the deepening and widening of the channel entrance to the Docks.
Had this scheme been carried out, it would have allowed vessels of larger draft and greater carrying capacity to have entered the Docks without being dependent on the state of the tide. In other words, it would have rendered Galway harbour capable of accommodating itself to all normal goods traffic, and it would undoubtedly have the result of bringing a number of steamship companies to the western port.
Under the altered conditions brought about by the war, the estimate of €60,000 could no longer be deemed sufficient to carry out the scheme; and even if the money was placed at the disposal of the Harbour Board tomorrow, it is obvious that without the permission and authority – and, indeed, without the active assistance – of the Government, they could not succeed in carrying out the work.
1942
Countrywide blackout
It was officially announced on Wednesday night that an Order had been made by the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence Measures containing provisions for a “blackout” of lighting throughout the country in the event of an emergency. It is stated that the Minister does not, in present circumstances, propose to bring the provisions of the Order into continuous operation.
There will, however, be early tests at intervals, for short periods, to ensure that effective preparations are being made by the public. Compliance with these tests will be compulsory and penalties may be imposed for any breach during a test.
Cyclists – front lamps must have the upper half of the front glass and the whole of any side or rear panels completely obscured, and the lower half of the reflector painted black or otherwise rendered ineffective. A red rear lamp and a white surface on the rear of the bicycle will be compulsory.
Pedestrians – torches will not be allowed unless the light is dimmed by two sheets of tissue paper, or their equivalent, and is at all times directed down and extinguished immediately on receipt of an air raid warning.
Horse-drawn vehicles – same provisions as for the front lamp on a bicycle.
Drovers – in the case of animals led or driven off a road, a lamp showing a white light must be carried in front. If the number of animals exceeds four, a lamp showing a white light must be carried both in front of and behind the animals. The lamps should be so screened that no light is thrown upwards and no appreciable illumination thrown on the ground.
Householders will be required to make arrangements so that no interior light will be visible from outside during darkness. Exterior lights such as porch lights will not be allowed.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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.
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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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