Galway In Days Gone By

1914

Ireland’s soldiers

Monday’s demonstration at Athenry, Galway when the massed Volunteer Corps of the county were reviewed by Col. Moore, was one of the most remarkable ever seen in the West of Ireland, and it was unquestionably the most historic and impressive that has taken place in Connacht for the last fifty years.

The spirit of nationality which pervaded the immense gathering and the bearing of the men in the ranks were such that as Mr. J.B. Concannon very aptly put in afterwards “it would make one proud of being an Irishman after having witnessed that day’s proceedings”.

Fully 5,000 people were present, and the strength of the different companies was over 2,000. The interest taken in the review by Galway citizens and merchants may be judged by the fact that many big stores and warehouses were closed down for the day, while three steamers in the dock were allowed to remain idle. Galway City was well represented, but when the question of population is considered, it lost badly in comparison with the country contingents.

In fact, the little village of Craughwell had as many men as Galway. It is hoped, therefore, that the counsel of Col. Moore will not be lost on the citizens, and that when the next review comes round the capital and chief town of the West will set a good example to the country contingents by sending at least eight or ten companies.

1939

Galway’s liner traffic

The transatlantic holiday traffic is once again in full swing and again on Saturday and Sunday, Galway port presented very busy scenes. The homeward-bound Cunard White Star liner, Samaria, arrived at the port on Saturday and was in the harbour for close-on six hours.

One hundred and ten passengers debarked from the liner in the afternoon and arrived at Galway docks on the tender, Cathair na Gaillimhe, shortly after eight o’clock. On the following morning, the Cunard White Star liner, Laconia, outward-bound for Boston and New York arrived and took on board a number of passengers for the Atlantic crossing.

Galway man’s heroism

Mr. Martin Browne, Liam Mellowes Terrace, claims to have rescued about fifty people from danger of death, and certainly the number who owe their lives to his bravery are many. On Friday afternoon, he effected another gallant rescue from Galway docks.

At about 8 o’clock on Friday evening, a four-year-old boy, Alfred Murray, son of Mr. John Murray, stevedore, employed by the Limerick Steamship Company, fell into the sea just outside the gates of the Commercial dock.

Mr. Browne, pausing only to divest himself of his coat and cap, jumped off the pier and, with the assistance of Mr. Patrick O’Donnell, dockgateman, brought the boy to safety. Were it not for Mr. Browne’s promptitude and bravery, the little boy would undoubtedly have lost his life.

Despite Mr. Browne’s many acts of heroism – acts performed unostentatiously and in the spirit which prompted him to withdraw quietly immediately he had performed his gallant deed on Friday evening – he has never received any public tribute other than two small monetary awards. The suggestion has been made that his latest act of courage should be brought to the notice of the Carnegie Hero Trust.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.