Galway In Days Gone By

1916

Sheltering in the Roads

The roadsteads of Galway bay presented a rather crowded appearance this week. This was owing to the excessive inclemency of the weather, many units of the Bay fishing fleet sheltering in the Docks. On Monday night it blew a gale that almost rose to a storm, and while Tuesday was calm, Wednesday night, especially the latter half, was scarcely less tempestuous. For almost a fortnight the weather has been as consistently and severely wet as the “oldest inhabitant” need care to recall, and, altogether, it appears as if we are in for an early and severe winter.

Accident on Dominick Street

The Galway County Council engine, crusher and van met with an accident at the head of Dominick-street on Saturday morning, which somewhat impeded the traffic, especially the tram traffic, for a considerable time.

The tram had crossed O’Brien’s bridge and was about to proceed down Dominick-street when, opposite Mr. P.J. Gallagher’s licensed premises, one of the right-hand wheels came out at the crusher, which implied a general breakdown.

The vehicles were partly over the tram track at the time. Mr. P.J. McCarthy, Manager of the Tram Company, was quickly on the scene, and Co. Council officials were speedily sent for. It was some considerable time before the passage was thoroughly cleared.

1941

Grattan land endangered

Galway Corporation on Thursday decided to have notices erected on the foreshore in the borough area warning persons that the removal of sand from the foreshore would involve prosecution, and to proceed against all offenders in future.

The cutting away of a large part of the sand and gravel bank south of Grattan Lodge had the effect of allowing the tides to sweep away portion of the land and that would eventually endanger the house.

The Guards took numbers of names of offenders, but no legal action was taken. Probably due to the slackness of building activities, less material was removed during the past two years, but for some reason quite recently large quantities were being removed right up against the land fences of Grattan Lodge.

A Guard arrested a man as he was coming out of the road and, no doubt, reported the matter.

‘Disgraceful’ Eyre Square

After hearing the view expressed that the lavatories at Eyre Square should not be closed as early as 8p.m. as was done in past winters and that the lavatories in Salthill should not be closed before the end of October, the Galway Corporation decided to Keep Eyre Square lavatories open until 9p.m. during the winter.

Mr. Faller remarked that he did not know if the attendant at the men’s lavatory was confined to looking after the lavatory or if his duties extended to looking after the Park. The Park was in a disgraceful condition during the summer. About three weeks ago it was evident that the Park was not receiving attention.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.