Galway in Days Gone By
Galway In Days Gone By
1919
Poverty in Connemara
The poor we shall always have with us, but we associate the very poor rather with the vicious slums of great cities than with the far-flung plains of agricultural districts or with the sea-washed shores of a land that seems to breathe health and vigour. Even poverty is bearable in a rural district, for surroundings naturally healthy and free rob it of the horrible concomitants that are ever present in the city. History has taught the Irish peasantry to survive where a less proud people would succumb.
That they have had sore need of a training that has been continued through seven centuries is proved by the conditions that exist today in Connemara. Our correspondents send us harrowing details of the recurrence of misery, starvation, death and disease. Before ever the influenza epidemic came upon Europe, Lettermullen and Gorumna knew these things.
They have been investigated by successfully “sympathetic” Chief Secretaries, medical inspectors and Local Government officials; and ameliorative legislation has been doled out with the grudging hand of those who economise in life-saving that death and disease may survive. Instead of facing the terrible conditions with real courage and firm purpose, the Government has dallied with a pressing problem.
Housing need
The Urban Council of Galway met on Thursday. Mr. Martin McDonogh (Chairman) presided. Present: Messrs. Michael J. Crowley, Joseph S. Young, and Martin Moloney.
The Rev. Father Davis attended and pressed on the Council the urgent necessity for improved housing accommodation for the working classes, particularly in the Claddagh district. In reply to his inquiry as to the state of the scheme in preparation by the Council, he was informed that the plans were in the hands of Mr. Binns, the Council’s engineer, who was instructed to lodge them at the Council’s offices without delay, and stated that he expected to be able to do so in the course of the ensuing work.
Ill-paid nurses
The Nursing Sisters of the Ballinasloe Infirmary have, for the first time, applied to the guardians for an increase in their salaries. They are paid annually each £30, out of which they have to support themselves.
1944
Curtailed consumption
Owing to the present low level of the river, together with the necessity of curtailing consumption of electric current, and the difficulty of obtaining fuel oil supplies, the Galway Waterworks cannot continue to meet the heavy demand for water which is now being made upon it.
It is obvious that water is being used for non-essential purposes such as hosing shop fronts, footpaths, etc. If these practices continue certain parts of the area will be left entirely without water.
To Let: Eyre Square
The County Manager invites tenders for the letting of Eyre Square during Race Week, 1944, that is for the period from the Sunday night before the Race days to the Sunday night after the Race days, both inclusive.
Lessee may not sublet without the consent of the County Manager, and will not be allowed to erect any structure or tent on the top portion of the Square or on the portion where the flower beds are situated.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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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.
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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.
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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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