Galway In Days Gone By

1916

Intemperance curse

A large and important demonstration took place in the Town Hall, Ballinasloe. The occasion was a lecture by Most Rev. Dr. Gilmartin on ‘Alcohol in other lands’.

Father Joyce, Adm., referred to the condition of temperance in Ballinasloe. Things, he said, were, on the whole, very satisfactory, but a bad impression was created on reports of proceedings in the Courts against drunkards, which did not disclose the locality from which the offenders came.

On the motion of the Bishop, the audience passed, with acclamation, a resolution calling on the publicans, if any were concerned, not to sell drink to a few women who were still bringing disgrace on the town by their periodical brawling drunkenness.

Illegal interment

At Saturday’s meeting of Galway Rural District Council, the Clerk read a letter he had received from Dr. J.J. Loftus, Spiddal, who enclosed a summons he had been served with by the Crown for attending an illegal interment.

The illegality was alleged to have taken place because he attended the funeral of a man named Thomas Keady, who died of fever, the interment taking place in a graveyward which had been closed.

The doctor stated he merely attended the funeral in the interests of the general public and he had no instructions save those of the Public Health Acts.

The Clerk said he had written to Dr. Loftus telling him to appear before the magistrates at the next Spiddal Petty Sessions, and the explain the circumstances – that his only object was to see that the remains were interred with all possible despatch, and that every necessary precaution was taken.

1941

Éire bombed

The Government Information Bureau in Dublin issued the following statement: A series of bombs were dropped in various parts of Eastern Counties last night and early this morning. Five bombs fell near Drogheda, five at Duleek and three at Julianstown. There were no casualties.

At 6.10 this morning, two bombs were dropped at Rathdown Park, Terenure   Dublin. Two houses were demolished and  several damaged. Seven persons were trapped in the demolished houses, but later were rescued.

Imports may cease

Dr. Ryan, Minister for Agriculture, has envisaged the probable cessation of all imports of foodstuffs for both man and beast in the near future. He said that if our people are to survive the dangers that lie ahead, all essential foodstuffs must be produced at home, and the greater part of his address consisted of an exhortation to the farmers of Ireland to do their utmost urgency.

Petrol hold-up

The petrol hold-up over the week-end gave motorists in Connemara a bad fright and caused very serious inconvenience throughout the area, where public transport services are not all that might be desired.

It should, however, serve one very necessary purpose by conveying to householders, traders and Parish Councils in Connemara some idea of the hardships that would befall the area should an emergency arise at the moment. Even during the few days’ shortage of petrol, some rural districts in Connemara ran short of foodstuffs.

Coming events cast their shadows before, and the day may not be very far distant when Connemara will wake up some morning to find itself completely isolated from all sources of essential supplies.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.