June 24, 2010

Date Published: {J}

Labourers

The labourers are badly treated in Athenry, with regard to their cottages. On Saturday, there was a notice of motion on for a reduction from 8s 4d. a month to 6s. which was rejected. The labourers are determined that the cottages shall remain untenanted until the rent has been reduced to a fair standard, and the result in this case will be that the ratepayers will have to bear the whole cost and the cottages will as a result of being vacant, get dilapidated.

Some of the contractors are labouring under a grievance, too, as the cottages, although finished since last September, have not yet been taken off their hands, as they are bound to hand them over to the District Council in good order. Scarcely a week passes that some damage to them has got to be repaired as a result of being untenanted.

Child abandoned

Mrs Devaney appeared before the meeting of the Galway Board of Guardians and said a child had been left in her house on Thursday night by a woman. Her daughter was the only person in the house at the time, and she took the child, fearing the woman, who said she was going to England, would destroy it.

Chairman: What time did you come home that night?

Mrs Devaney: About 11 o’clock.

Mr. Lee: Did you report the matter to the police?

Mrs. Devaney: My husband went to the Head Constable, and he said to have the child taken to the Workhouse.

In a reply to members Relieving Officer Sullivan said the woman who left the child in the house of Mrs Devaney was a Mrs Quinn.

Mr Davoren said the police should be again acquainted of the matter.

Mr. Griffin: And the child could be kept in the house in the meantime?

Clerk: Yes, and it will be there for 15 years.

Mr. Lee: That woman should be brought back wherever she is. What age was your daughter that took the child?

Mrs Devaney: Nineteen years.

Mr. Lee: It looks very suspicious.

Mr. MacNeill suggested paying the woman for the maintenance of the child for one week, in the meantime to communicate with the Head Constable.

Mr. MacNeill’s suggestion was agreed to.

1935

Movie-making

The filming of J.M. Synge’s “Riders to the Sea” will be commenced in Ireland in less than a fortnight. The film, which will take about six weeks to complete, is being made by the Flanagan Hurst Productions, a new company recently founded by Mr, Brian D. Hurst, a native of Down, and Mr. J. Flanagan, a well-known portrait painter in London.

The headquarters of the producers will be at Renvyle, Connemara, and the main scenes will be taken at Glashawn, Leenane and Tully; and along the Galway coast. The scenario, which has been adapted by Francis Stuart and Patrick Kirwan, the well-known authors, is now ready.

The buses

It is doubtful if the railway closing will affect the tourist industry in Connemara as somewhere at first inclined to believe. The ‘buses are undoubtedly very expeditious and they give one a better opportunity of seeing the country.

The unfailing courtesy and good humour of both the conductors and drivers goes a long way towards mitigating any slight inconvenience that may be experienced and from the moment the traveller steps onto the ‘bus in Galway, he has the pleasant feeling of being in good hands and that his holiday has actually begun.

It is stated that a more luxurious type of vehicle will be used on the route in the near future and it is felt that if the Irish Tourist Association could be induced to see its influence with the company to have something on the same style as the Westport and Mallaranny ‘buses put into operation a great deal of good would accrue.

Sewerage urgency

The need for a waterworks and sewerage scheme for Ballinasloe, which has been recognised for a considerable time to be very urgent, has been again stressed by the fact that the new schools needed in the town have been held up, and also the Council’s 64 new houses are nearing completion. These houses will be ready, it is believed, towards the end of the year and so far no arrangements have been definitely made for a water supply. The Council have already stressed the urgency of a loan several times to the Department and did everything on their part to expedite the work.

Salthill church

“This glorious seaside place is really a benefit to the city of Galway … hence I say that the people of Galway should contribute their share to the erection of this beautiful church.” These remarks were made by his lordship, Most Rev. Dr. O’Doherty, Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Aposolic Administrator of Kilfenora, in the course of his address to a very large crows, following the ceremony of blessing and laying the foundation stone of the new church in Salthill.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.