Galway In Time Gone By – A browse through the archives of the Connacht Tribune.

1913

Portumna mystery

The disappearance of a respectable farmer named John Brooder from his residence, Church Hill, Portumna, has caused a great sensation throughout the district. He was a respected and an amiable man, and resided alone on a large farm for years. He was last seen in town on the 5th August.

Although the most careful search has been made during the last fortnight by the police, under the direction of District Inspector Harrison, aided by the local people, no clue can be got as to his mysterious disappearance.

When last seen, he had close on £50 in his possession, but latterly it has transpired that this is in safe keeping. The most sensational rumours as to his disappearance are being circulated, but there are no grounds for them. He was looked upon as a very harmless man, and universal regret is expressed fearing that he may have met an untimely end.

Mountbellew transport

We notice with pleasure that the movement that is successfully on foot in Mountbellew district, to form a society to work the motor service in the locality. In a district so far remote from any railway station, such a service is badly needed. The district the motor service is intended to work over is a rich one, and we venture to say that before many years those who are now slightly sceptical will wonder at the narrow-mindedness or want of clear thinking which gave rise to the scepticism.

1938

Bus inspector crashes

Edward Walshe, aged 23 years, a mobile bus inspector employed by the Great Southern Railways Company (Galway branch), was admitted to Galway Central Hospital at a late hour on Wednesday night last, suffering from terrible head and other injuries sustained when his motor-cycle crashed at Keleenlane, two miles outside Tuam on the Galway-Tuam road. His condition is stated to be critical.

Mr. Walshe, who is a native of Balllina, was returning to Galway from Tuam at about 10.15pm on Wednesday when, it is stated, three horses, chased by a dog, ran out from a side road in front of the motor-cycle. Mr. Walshe swerved to the right side of the road to avoid them, and had to swerve back again to avoid an oncoming cyclist. He lost control of the machine, which fell on top of him, pinning him to the road.

Footballers for Croker

A game Monaghan team which played spirited football to the end were unable to hold the western champions at Mullingar on Sunday, in the all-Ireland semi-final. Almost from the beginning it was evident that the Galway men would dominate the play, and the only point at issue was the margin which would lie in their favour at the end.

A powerful Galway defence broke up the Monaghan attacks. The Galway pair at centre were severely tested, but they generally got the best of the exchanges. The Monaghan defenders made a great stand, but were unable to break up many of the Galway attacks. It finished Galway 2-10 to Monaghan 2-3.

Fishing ‘goldmine’

“I believe there is a real gold mine in the waters off the West coast and I do not see why the fishing industry could not be operated successfully in the Twenty-six counties as well as in Northern Ireland,” said Mr. W. Craig Pollock, consulting engineer, Stormont, Belfast.

Mr Pollock’s interest in fishing is not just that of the ordinary man who sees in it a neglected industry. He is Convenor for the Northern Ireland Industrial Development Committee, a body organised for the purpose of establishing new industries in the North.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.