Galway In Days Gone By

1916

Battle of Clarenbridge

Owing to the isolation of parts of the country quite closely connected at normal times, the people of Galway did not know that one of the fiercest engagements of the Rising, so far as the county is concerned, took place around the police barracks of Clarenbridge.

The plan of the insurgents appears to have been to attack Oranmore and Clarenbridge police barracks simultaneously and for the purpose of ensuring the success of this venture, they endeavoured to stop traffic by erecting barricades between Clarenbridge and Kilcolgan where there is another barracks garrisoned by over half-a-score of men, and between Clarenbridge and Oranmore.

Simultaneously, a somewhat abortive attempt was made to blow up the bridge near Oranmore on the Galway road, the rails were torn up at Derrydonnell, and the Oranmore signal cabin put out of commission.

Dividing themselves into two forces, the smaller surrounded the little garrison of four men at Oranmore, and whilst this, to quote Sergeant Healy’s description, was being “intermittently shot at by about 30 insurgents”, the equally small garrison at Clarenbridge were fighting for their lives.

Early on the fateful morning of Tuesday, April 25, they were surrounded by a hostile force numbering, it is alleged, over 200. A violent fusillade followed, and the constabulary men “entrenched” themselves as well as they could and replied with vigour.

Glass was smashed and bullets ricocheted about their heads. The insurgents sent a local clergyman to the police, calling upon them to surrender.

“No surrender!” was the reply. The “engagement” continued and it is even suggested that the insurgents hurled bombs and explosives against the barracks.

Later, the insurgents gave the sergeant fifteen minutes in which to surrender.

“You may cut the fifteen minutes,” was the reply. The siege went on, until reinforcements arrived from Kilcolgan, Oranmore was relieved, and the besiegers were compelled to fall in with the general retirement upon the camp at the Department’s Farm at Athenry.

1941

Turf export evil

“According to the official returns, 493,000 tons of turf were cut in County Galway in 1989 and it is expected that the quantity will be at least doubled this year,” said Mr C.I. O’Flynn, County Secretary, at a meeting of Galway County Council.

Replying to comments about the huge quantity of turf that was being sent out from Galway at very high prices to other counties, including Dublin, the County Secretary said that this was an evil which might produce some good.

It might stimulate the production of turf and is production took place on a large scale, prices would come down, and if they did not come down, the Government might step in and prohibit the carriage of turf for some areas.

Work-shy youths

Instances have been brought to my notice of late of young able-bodied men, residing in areas where the dole is paid all the year round, who will not accept employment unless it is of a character entirely to their liking. What a commentary on modern trends!

I was told of one town where an appeal was made for men to help at turf spreading and only a few elderly men turned up at the appointed centre. The young men scoffed at it.

A good many people are coming to believe that no able-bodied man without dependants should be paid the dole in the interval between now and October while there is useful public work which he could and should perform and for which he would receive reasonable remuneration.

Fuel shortage

The Irish Sea Fisheries’ Association at their first meeting in Galway heard of the plight      of owners and crew of motor fishing boards  in Galway City, Aran, and at other points along the coast of County Galway, who are unable to obtain fuel oil for the engines of their craft.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.