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

1913

Lighting survey

At the meeting of the Galway Urban Council, the Lighting Committee reported that they had inspected the lighting arrangements existing at Taylor’s Hill, Maunsells road, and Salthill. No change in the position of the light at the lower end of Taylor’s Hill was necessary, but it would be desirable to have a light placed outside Mr. Bolton’s place, as that particular spot was badly lighted.

Another additional light was required at the corner of Maunsells road, as the place was very dark at night. No light was needed at Salthill, but an electric heater was required in the latrine.

It was also recommended to change one of the lights on the New Line, and the erection of a light at Eyre Square, outside Mr. Ward’s garage.

Penny dinners

Rev. Father Eaton, C.C., St Joseph’s Parish, formally applied to the Council for the use of one or two of the houses at Henry street as a shelter for the serving of penny dinners during the winter months.

The object was a most deserving one, and he was confident that they would be generous enough to accede to his request, and that their action would only be a continuation of the good work they had been doing for some time.

He believed that in no city or town throughout the country had more been done for the housing of the poor than in Galway City. The houses would be used only for a couple of months, up to the time of letting. The Council agreed.

1938

Hiding in cupboard

How a Garda waited fifteen minutes in a licensed premises until a man concealed in a cupboard was forced to come out for air, was related at Galway District Court on Thursday, before District Justice Sean Mac Giollarnath, when James Lee, publican, Dominick-st., Galway, was charged with a breach of the licensing laws.

Garda Lynch said that during prohibited hours on October 16 he knocked at defendant’s premises, and was admitted after a delay of five minutes.

Having searched the premises, be noticed a cupboard under the stairs. The cupboard was locked, and witness asked defendant for the key.

Defendant replied: “I will never open that door for any guard, and the man who gave you information about that place had little to do. That place is a private press.”

Witness waited about fifteen minutes until a man knocked on the inside of the door. Defendant opened the door, and James Flaherty, Claddagh, came out. Flaherty told witness that he paid Miss Lee for a “pint”, but had not got it, and added, “I hope you will tell her to give it to me now, because I am feeling very dry.” Mr. O’Dea said his client was pleading guilty to the charge.

The justice imposed a fine of £1, and the man found in the cupboard was fined 5s.

Tourism boost

About ninety liners are expected to call at Galway Port next year. Seventy Cunard-White Star liners are scheduled to call during the year and about twenty Hamburg Amerika-North German Lloyd liners – the same number as in the present year – are expected. The total number of liners visiting the port this year is fifty-six, so that next year there will be an increase of about thirty-four.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.