Galway In Days Gone By

1914

Rifles for Craughwell, Galway

Upwards of eighty Volunteers of the Craughwell corps marched into Athenry on Tuesday evening to receive a consignment of sixty rifles despatched from headquarters of the National Volunteers in Dublin. The Craughwell corps, which are staunch supporters of the Irish Party, are to be congratulated on being the first corps in the county to receive such recognition by the Party.

Rain-sodden bed

Arising out of a report on the condition of the houses in Piper’s Lane and Wilson’s Lane, the Chairman of Ballinasloe Urban Council said it appeared the conditions under which the people were living in those places were very bad.

Mr. Costello said the people living in them complained of the rain coming down on their beds. In houses, consisting of one room, families of six and seven had to live together, and in some cases there was only one small window in these houses.

In reply to the Chairman, it was stated the houses belonged to Mr. John Beirne.

Mr. Costello: Wilson’s Lane and Piper’s Lane should be closed. When we were looking at these places, Mr. Hayden asked if they were stables. You would not put an ass to live in them.

Late Mrs. Killacky

Sincere regret was manifested by all classes in the City on Thursday morning when it was made known that Mrs. Killacky, wife of the popular and courteous Head-Constable, had passed away after a long illness.

Though the deceased had been ailing for nearly two years, her health did not indicate that the end was so near. The late Mrs. Killacky was a well-known figure in charity circles in the City, and her many kindly acts endeared her to those with whom she laboured for charity as well as those who benefitted by her exertions.

1939

Parish committees

Sir, Out of what hole has come that glorified mouse, or musk-rat, denominated the Parish Committee? The Parish Committee! The Village Pump! Village Pump politics! Centrepetal! Centrifugal! To grasp the Whole and to distribute the Fragments!

A red herring would be smelled by most – only a few would notice the stench of the musk-rat, say “suff” and pass on! Straining at the gnat and swallowing the camel!

The Parish Committee – the chance for galoots to belch forth their hot air! And inside this gilded pill of the Parish Committee is the Managerial System!

Oh! then, many a goodly apple’s rotten at the core!

P.R. Hanlackie, Kilkerrin

Notice to trespassers

The Governing Body of University College, Galway and Patrick Fahy, hereby give notice that (1) the use of the University playing pitches at Renmore Road (Fahy’s Field) is reserved to University teams or teams engaged in opposition; (2) permission to persons, non-University clubs and teams to use these grounds will not henceforth be granted and (3) all persons disregarding this motion will be prosecuted as trespassers.

Signed: J. Mitchell, Registrar.

Prefers jail to husband

Mary McDonagh, of no fixed abode, who pleaded guilty to breaking two panes of glass in the business house of Mr. P. Duane, Kiltullagh, was sent to prison for two months at Gurteen Court, where she told the Justice that she preferred to go to jail rather than live with her husband, with whom she had a row.

Superintendent Kelly, Athenry, who prosecuted, said accused was an old offender, having committed several similar offences from time to time up and down the country. She told Guard Reid, Bookeen, who arrested her, that she wanted to go to prison as she preferred this to living with her husband, with whom she had had a row, and wanted to get away from him.

Mr. Dunne said the damage to his window cost 33s. 6d., and the defendant’s husband had paid for the damage.