Galway In Days Gone By

1916

Good cheer from home

In home-bound fancy, the Irish soldier often gazes across the flat plains of Flanders, the drought-bound sands of the desert, or the sad shell-swept surroundings of Salonika, to his people in this peaceful land.

And there is nothing gives him such joy of heart as a little personal gift sent “all to himself”. This feeling has, in a measure, been met by the method adopted by various lady members of the societies adopting a particular soldier for correspondence and gifts.

But it is also useful to know the kind of gifts the men most appreciate. The writer was informed by the mud-coloured Troglodytes in the trenches – those men who watch by day and listen and guard these wet and weary winter nights – that what they would like best are clay pipes, Gallagher’s plug tobacco, and plenty of good warm mufflers and knitted socks.

They care not for the fancy brands of cigarettes or light tobaccos sent them; and many of the so-called ‘comforts’ forwarded with the best intentions are of little practical value.

These men should be listened to, for they are doing the work which is keeping all of us safe at home – with an anxiety save that brought about by the increased cost of living.

1941

Local Defence Force

The preliminary competition for the shields proceed apace, and during the week, the Galway Companies have been holding tests on the miniature ranges at Renmore Barracks, which have been placed at their disposal by the O/C., Garrison.

The Claregalway Group have also been busy and it is whispered that not a few marksmen have been unearthed. The results of all tests received to date show a high standard of marksmanship.

No. 2 Company are fortunate in having an ideal open range at Merlin Park, which they are utilising to the fullest extent. Constructed and designed by Platoon Leader Waithman, this range is equipped with covered firing positions and novel “human” targets which are manipulated by an ingenious pulley arrangement.

Tillage order

Dr. J. Ryan, Minister for Agriculture, promised Galway County Committee of Agriculture that steps would be taken as far as possible to enforce the Compulsory Tillage Order this year, and as far as his Department could ensure, there would be no defaulters as there were last year.

The Minister, in his address to the Committee, pointed out that wheat at the guaranteed price of £2 per barrel would mean dear flour, and if a farmer could not replace sacks of flour with his own wheat, he would have an enormous flour bill to meet for his family. He advised farmers to grow all the animal, as well as human food that the country required. He laid special stress on the food value of the potato.

Fuel shortages

Mr. J. Mongan, T.D., has taken up the whole question of the supply of essential petrol and paraffin oil for Connemara with the Department of Supplies. He has been assured that the situation will be given immediate attention.

Up to the present a petrol lorry would not go to Connemara depot unless the garage owner was prepared to take 200 gallons. To get 200 gallons now, a garage man would require to have coupons representing 800 gallons.

I understand that deliveries of 100 gallons may now be made obligatory. If any lorry owner in Connemara should find difficulty in securing petrol, he should communicate with the Department.

Mr. Mongan also took up the question of supplies of paraffin oil for the fishermen’s boats. They will be given full supplies of paraffin and the hope is that the fishery business will be pursued with vigour.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.