Galway in Days Gone By
Galway In Time Gone By – A browse through the archives of the Connacht Tribune
1913
Huge Volunteers turnout
The inauguration of the Volunteer movement in Galway was marked by scenes of unparalleled enthusiasm in the streets on Wednesday night.
Whether stimulated by genuine national sentiment, or by that glamour which invariably heralds the birth of a new movement, the citizens turned out en masse and took part in the proceedings in a spirit of whole-heartedness and spontaneity that was at once remarkable and auspicious for the success of the movement. The streets presented an animated appearance shortly before 8 o’c, and the parade of the Pipers’ Band en route to the station was marked by extraordinary enthusiasm and loud cheering.
An open phaeton drew up at the kerb in front of the Railway Hotel, and a formidable bodyguard largely composed of University students, with lighted torches, took up their stand at the front and rear of the carriage.
The procession to the Town Hall, where the public meeting was held, was joined by a tremendous crowd, which quickly occupied every available foot of space in the Town Hall.
So large was the concourse — in fact, it has been described as the largest demonstration ever seen in Galway — that an overflow meeting had to be held outside the building, and the enthusiasm of those who followed the addresses without was indicated to those in the Hall by the frequent outbursts of applause.
The scene in the Hall itself was one to be remembered. The body of the Hall, as well as the galleries, was packed, and there was a very large proportion of ladies in the audience. The University students occupied the front rows of seats, and followed the proceedings with genuine interest.
Mr. George Nicolls, solicitor, occupied the chair, and the meeting was addressed by Professor John McNeill, Sir Roger Casement, Mr. Bernard Cusack, Mr Pearce, B.A., Mr. J. V. Fahy, solicitor; Dr. Walsh, Father Eaton and Mr. John Sleator.
At the conclusion of the addresses, the audience rose and sang “A Nation Once Again”, after which the enrolment of members took place. Later, outside the Railway Hotel, Sir Roger Casement informed the multitude that they intended to hold a review of the Volunteers next April, it being the 900th anniversary of the battle of Clontarf. He added that a rousing Volunteer song would shortly be-published. After another parade through the streets, the crowds dispersed.
1938
There may be war
“What are we doing to save the people of Galway in case of a gas attack if war breaks out tomorrow?” asked Mr. Healy, at the monthly meeting of the Galway Corporation.
Mr. Healy expressed the view that the matter of safeguarding the people in such an emergency should be seriously considered by the Corporation immediately.
Mr Healy: What are we doing to save the people of Galway in case of a gas attack if war breaks out tomorrow? What is this Corporation going to do? There should be something done. This question is very important, because there is the danger of war breaking out at any time. We do not know but there will be a war tomorrow.
Ald. Miss Ashe: There is a bill going through the Dail that will provide for protection for the people. Mayor: I think the Local Government Department are dealing with the matter, but we have not had any communication from them yet on the subject.
Mr. Healy: We should not be wailing for Dublin to tell us what to do. We should have St. John’s Ambulance Society in Galway to train the people in the care of the wounded. I noticed in the papers last week where a certain party looked for a room in the technical school, which the ratepayers paid for, for training in nursing, and so on, and they were turned down.
I do not agree with that. If we had a gas attack in Galway tomorrow we would have panic. If a man was drowned or burned not one person in a hundred would know how to treat him.
Abandoned family
“You appear to have no idea of your responsibility as a husband. I will sentence you to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour if in the next fortnight you do not make an effort to support your wife.”
These words were addressed to to a Bohermore man by District Justice Sean Mac Giollarnath at Galway District Court on Thursday. The man was summoned by Miss Monnelly, N.S.P.C.C. Inspector, for neglecting his wife and child and for failing to support them.
The man’s wife, in evidence, said that she only received 10s. from her husband since the case was adjourned a month ago. Her husband stated that he only got £1 8s. 2d. from the Labour Exchange and he bought some furniture for himself with the money. The Justice then made the remark quoted above.
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
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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.
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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