Galway in Days Gone By
Galway In Days Gone By – Double Tragedy
1914
Double tragedy
(By special telegram)
A shocking double tragedy was perpetrated at a field in Parke, about a quarter of a mile from Athenry, last evening, when Michael Murphy, a thirty-five year old farmer, residing at Belville, about five miles from here, hacked the throat of his young wife with an ordinary barber penknife, and, then, it is supposed, committed suicide.
The dreadful affair has sent a thrill of horror throughout the entire countryside, and this morning is the sole topic of conversation.
I have just returned from the scene of the tragedy, where the remains of the couple, who were married only three months ago, lay side by side in two oak coffins. A policeman on guard, and a small crowd surround the scene.
About twelve months ago, Katie Lally, then daughter of a Knockbrack farmer, returned from the United States, where she had been for nine years. She was regarded as one of the best-looking women in the district. Tall, fair, and about 30 years of age, her hand was sought by Murphy. She had a small fortune, which she had brought from the States and this was supplemented by her father’s dowry. He, too, was well off and married life opened up for the young couple with every hope of happiness and prosperity.
Recently, however, it has been noted that he has been somewhat strange in manner. No motive can be ascribed, save that the dreadful deed was the outcome of a fit of insanity, and this is the general belief held locally.
Docks expansion
At a meeting of Galway Harbour Board, Mr. Martin McDonogh, J.P., said they would never have a proper port in Galway until larger vessels could enter, and the outside of the docks was deepened.
Large consignments were shipped from various places to Galway, but the cargoes had to be transhipped into smaller vessels, which greatly increased the expense. Nowadays, if large vessels could not get into the docks of local ports, such ports were done.
1939
Patient drowned
A verdict of death from drowning was returned at a coroner’s inquest at Ballinasloe Mental Hospital on Saturday on a female patient who rushed into the River Suck at the back of the asylum and was drowned.
The promptitude of Attendant James Nolan, who heard the nurses whistle for help, and who rushed for a boat with which he took the patient from the river, was highly commended by the jury, who added a rider that no blame was attached to any member of the staff or the patients for the tragedy.
Death of Patrick McHugh
The death of Mr. Patrick McHugh, general merchant, The Square and High-street, Tuam, which occurred on Sunday last, removes the oldest and one of the best known and most popular figures in Tuam.
The late Mr. McHugh, who was a native of Ballaghbawn, Belclare, was associated with the business life of Tuam for almost seventy years. Although he took no direct part in politics, he was a life-long Nationalist.
During the Black and Tan regime, he was visited on one occasion by an armed party of Auxiliaries and told that if he did not get the name in Irish over the shop door removed and the name put on in English, the shop would be blown up.
Mr. McHugh, however, stood out against all threats and refused to have his name in Irish removed. It was typical of his steadfast and honourable character, which endeared him to all who knew him.
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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