Galway in Days Gone By
Galway In Days Gone By
1914
Reckless drivers
At the Galway City Petty Sessions, Head Constable Killacky summoned Patk Concannon for driving on the wrong side of the road, and for furious driving, on the night of the 15th inst. Defendant is a local jarvey.
Complainant said defendant drove on the wrong side of the road, within a foot of the path. Two soldiers were standing beside the path, and as they had not time to get out of the way, one of them was struck by the wheel of the car.
Witness added that the drivers of Galway were absolutely reckless, particularly going to and coming from the trains. Defendant was fined 5s. in each case.
Gallant Galway man
Amongst the long list of names mentioned in the Field-Marshal Sir John French’s now-famous despatches for conspicuous bravery in the field, Galway people have noticed with gratification and pride that of Lieut. C.C. Holmes, of Lincolnshire Regiment.
Lieutenant Holmes is a son of Mr. R.W. Holmes, of Claregalway, and has a brother serving with the Grand Fleet in the sister service. The young officer was some time ago reported missing, but everyone will join in the earnest prayer that this gallant Irish soldier may turn up safe and well.
1939
Garda cutbacks
It is strongly rumoured that a number of garda barracks in Connemara will be closed shortly under the Government’s economy drive, and the districts vacated will be divided up among the adjoining garda districts, Leenane, Carraroe, and Roundstone or Carna, are some of the stations about when the rumours circulate.
The authorities, however, should consider the matter carefully before taking any steps in the direction stated, of the proposed economy might only prove a false one.
European liner terminal?
Our Special Dublin Correspondent writes: If this war goes on, and I fear it will, Galway may become the terminal port in Europe for American liners before many months. Everything will depend on the success of the German aerial war on British ships and ports.
The American Government appear to think that at any moment German aircraft are to be expected, if not off the south coast of Ireland, in force, at least near the entrance to the English Channel, where very determined attacks may be made on vessels bound for any of the Channel ports.
American ships have been accordingly warned. Against this, German craft in those waters would certainly be attacked from both the French and British shores, for to get to their objective they would have to fly for hundreds of miles within easy reach of either shore and would, therefore, be very heavily attacked.
The Germans, so far, have refrained from attacks in this quarter, possible for the reason that the dangers and risk of big losses are considered great.
American ships are also stated to regard the port of Liverpool as one of danger, and the “narrow seas” off our south coast are definitely in the danger zone, according to American reckoning.
Galway is, therefore, pointed to as the best and safest port outside the danger zones.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
1923
Gloom after war
The special correspondent of the “Independent”, who has been writing of the aftermath of civil war in the West, notes that a feeling of apathy, due to the uncertainty of events, exists amongst the sorely-tried people of Connemara; that politics are referred to only with disgust and that not more than fifty per cent. of the people would vote at a general election; that poverty and unemployment are rife, and there is a growing tendency towards emigration; and that there are bitter complaints of the huge impost of rates and taxes.
It is only too true that there is enough of material for the pessimist to brood over, and that a feeling of gloom permeates country towns. But it is a poor tribute to patriotism that has survived such horrors to encourage this gloom.
It is the duty of all of us to get this pessimism out of the national body and to rid ourselves of the notion that we have not enough Christianity and moral sense left to restore our people to cheerful and ordered progress and industry.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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1923
Peace negotiations
As we go to press, An Dáil is discussing the Peace negotiations between the Government and Mr. de Valera. It was announced on Wednesday for the first time that such negotiations were begun following Mr. de Valera’s “cease fire” proclamation of April 27, and that by the 30th of the month Senators Andrew Jameson and James Douglas were asked by him to discuss proposals.
They said it was for the Government to discuss; they could only confer. Into the ensuring conferences the Government declined to enter personally, but on May 3 the senators placed before Mr. de Valera the Cabinet’s terms, which were that future issues should be decided by the majority vote of the elected representatives of the people, and that as a corollary and a preliminary to the release of prisoners, all lethal weapons should be in the custody and control of the Executive Government.
Mr. de Valera relied to this on May 7 with a document in which he agreed to majority rule and control of arms, but added that arms should be stored in a suitable building in each province under armed Republican guard until after the elections in September, that the oath should not be made a test in the councils of the nation, and that all political prisoners should be released immediately on the signing of this agreement.
“You have brought back to us,” wrote President Cosgrave, “not an acceptance of our conditions, but a long and wordy document inviting debate where none is possible”.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
1923
State of the parties
Speculation as to parties after the next Irish elections is exceedingly interesting, especially in view of the enlarged franchise.
In Dublin, the view appears to be held by a number of people that Labour will make a great bid for power.
Dublin, however, has a curiously insular habit of thought where matters that concern all Ireland and in which Ireland has a say are concerned. We hope this insularity will rapidly disappear under the new conditions.
The country as a whole is backing the Farmers’ Party, and has not the smallest doubt that it will be the strongest combination in the next Dáil, and that it will oust the purely political parties, the one because it has resorted to force, the other because it has been compelled to use force to supress force, and the Labour Party because Ireland feels that at the back of its policy lurks the danger of Communism.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
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