May 8, 1913

Date Published: 08-May-2013

 1913 – GAEL DAY

Seldom, if ever, have such crowds assembled in Spiddal and Furbough as were seen there on Sunday last at the great hosting of the Gael. It was regrettable that owing to an unforeseen hitch, or a series of hitches, rather, the Aeraidheacht and public meeting were not held at midday, and the venue of the hurling final was Spiddal, not Furbough, as originally arranged.

But in spite of all, the match was witnessed by many hundreds of spectators. The play was excellent. Galway was to the fore at half time, which put great determination into the home team, with the result that the final score was: Spiddal 3 goals, Galway 2 goals 2 points.

1938 – GARDAI STONED AT WEDDING

A surprise visit paid to a wedding by a party of Gardaí on revenue duty was recalled at Derrynea District Court on Tuesday, before District Justice Sean Mac Giollarnath, when Michael McDonagh, Carraroe, and his daughter Brigid (now Mrs Beatty) were charged with obstructing the Gardaí in the discharge of their duty, and with assaulting Garda Anthony Duggan.

Garda Fitzgibbon, Carraroe, said that on November 16, he was in charge of a party of Gardaí who visited defendant’s house in search of poteen at 2am. There was a wedding in progress at the house and there were around forty persons present. The Gardaí searched the house, and then proceeded to search outside.

The crowd came rushing out of the house led by Michael McDonagh, who adopted a threatening attitude. Brigid McDonagh carried a shovel in her hand.

1963 – FIRE THREATENS VILLAGE

A mystery fire, which destroyed a £4,000 dance hall in Kilkerrin early on Sunday morning, threatened to engulf a corner of the tiny village (population 250). Flying sparks from the fire, which started before 4 o’clock, and blazed for nearly five hours, showered the area and endangered nearby petrol pumps, a hay shed and church property.

Captain John Keeley said the cause of the fire was a complete mystery. The fire started about forty minutes before the brigade was called. How the fire started is being investigated by the Gardaí.

1988 – SALTHILL’S SHAME

A scathing attack has been made on Galway corporation for allowing the Salthill seafront to deteriorate into a tattered and neglected state. The salvo has been fired by Deputy Bobby Molloy, who said the promenade area had come to present an ugly face to tourists – all for the sake of a few thousand pounds.

Deputy Molloy listed broken benches, rundown public toilets and below-standard swimming facilities as examples of how the area had become so rundown.

And the Salthill P.D. Deputy – who has lived all his life within a stone’s throw of the beach – called for the compilation of an overall plan for the seafront from the Claddagh to Knocknacarra, but added that running repairs are imperative before the summer season.