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

1913 

Salthill Citizens’ Bazaar

A public meeting of the citizens was held in the Council Chamber of the Town Hall in support of the Citizens’ Bazaar in August for the improvement and development of Salthill.

“If Warrenpoint could become what it is within twenty-five years, why cannot Galway be second to none as a seaside resort?” asked Fr. MacArdle.

“Coastdwellers in other lands have turned to splendid account natural advantages,” said Mr O’Gorman.

“The ladies will see this thing through. They are entering heart and sould into the business this time, not to take any money out of our pockets but to put some in,” said Father Travers.

“It is for them to get Galway talked about in the tourist world, and to make it a desirable place for tourists to stay in when they come,” said Mr Mc. Donnell.

Mr. Lawson said: “This movement for the improvement of Salthill and Galway proceeds from the vital principle of self-help, and the coming Bazaar is going to be the biggest and grandest thing of the kind that we have ever had in Galway.”

1938

Education is free

“The mentality of the parents who say that their children are educated at fourteen years of age is very poor,” said District Justice Caholl at Kinvara Court, where there were a number of summonses under the School Attendance Act.

A man against whom there were three summonses said that he could not afford to send his children to school when the Justice made the above remarks and the Justice added: “Education is free; it costs you nothing.”

Defendant: I think these three children are over fourteen years of age, and I am poor.

Justice: We have no proof of this and even if they were, you should be glad to continue to keep them in school, more so if you are in poor circumstances, to give them a chance in life. It is not the guards’ business nor mine to tell you that you should educate your children. You are responsible for this.

Asked if there were any previous convictions under the School Attendance Act in respect of the man’s children, the prosecuting guard said there were, for other children.

The Justice imposed fines of 5s in each of the two summonses and 2s. 6d. in the third summons.

Man injured

During an altercation that took place among a section of the spectators at Bullaun races on Saturday last, a farmer from Clonoo, Loughrea, received a kick in the abdomen and was later removed in the County Home ambulance to the Central Hospital, Galway in a somewhat critical condition.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.