Galway in Days Gone By
Galway In Days Gone By – A browse through the archives of the Connacht Tribune.
1913
600 strike
On Saturday morning last, as a result of the failure of the Galway Branch (No. 20) of the National Union of Dock Labourers to come to an agreement with the City Branch of the Employers’ Federation, in regard to working rules and rates of wages for the present year, between 500 and 700 men struck work. These comprised dockers and casual labourers, yardsmen, carters, builders’ labourers etc.
The situation thus created was unprecedented in the history of Galway, or, indeed, of any town in Connacht. It immediately resulted in an almost total dislocation of traffic, and in considerable injury to business.
The strike, which has been brought about by the consolidation and sectional organisation of practically all the forces of labour in the city within the past two years, was at first taken not very seriously by the citizens.
As a result of the trouble, the City police force has been considerably augmented, and its strength now stands at about 150. There is no unusual police activity, however, nor has the necessity for it arisen.
Police and civilians
The Achill magistrates on Monday agreed to adjourn several cases and cross-cases of assault between police and civilians, the later mainly women, arising out of an affray on 7th March last in connection with the agitation for the transfer of land.
Rev. Father Colleran, P.P., in applying for the adjournment, said there was peace on the island, and the people would guarantee to continue the peace, but it should be understood that they were not giving up the agitation, and would pay no rent until they got the land.
1938
Soldier badly injured
Martin Conneely, the Claddagh, Galway, a private in the Irish Free State National Army, stationed at Renmore Barracks, was admitted to the Central Hospital, Galway, late on Wednesday night suffering from severe head injuries received when, it is stated, he was dazzled by the lights of an oncoming car, while cycling near the Claddagh, lost his balance, and fell twenty feet into the Claddagh basin below. The tide was out at the time.He was immediately removed to the Central Hospital, but a “Connacht Tribune” representative was informed on Thursday morning that Conneely was still unconscious.
Boy struck by car
A young boy named Keogh, from Canal Road, Galway, while on his way to school on Thursday morning at about 9a.m. was struck by a Ford Ten motor car at the Salmon Weir Bridge. The boy was suffering from shock and slight injuries and was immediately removed to the Central Hospital, but was not detained. He is a son of Mr. T. Keogh, N.T., St. Brendan’s School, Galway.
Vocational education
The evening classes in the Tuam Vocational School are such a success that practically all of them are filled with students, and a waiting list has been opened for new students. These evening classes include cookery, engineering, woodwork and domestic economy, Irish and art classes. There are a few vacancies in the art, Irish and commercial. Altogether 160 students are attending the evening classes, which continue from 8.15pm to 10 o’clock each night. We believe this is a record for a vocational school such a short time open.
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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