October 28, 2010

Date Published: {J}

1910

Remarkable figures as to the amount of congestion existing in Dunmore and district were given at a monster demonstration which was held there on Sunday last under the auspices of the Dunmore branch of the United Irish League.

The Very Rev. Canon Macken, Chairman, said: “I believe in the Irish Party (cheers). I am as convinced as I can be of anything in the political world, and that the revolution has been wrought in Ireland in the last 30 or 40 years by the Land Acts and other beneficient Acts, is mainly, if not altogether, the proud achievement of that splendid organisation (renewed cheers).

“No country in the world can point to such a happy transformation, brought about, too, by methods of peace. I don’t see how anyone can deny the truth of this statement, and it seems an axiom in the politics of our own times.

“If, then, these services have been rendered to Ireland by the National Party, they are deserving of the respect and sympathy of everyone who loves Ireland and desires to see prosperity and comfort taking the place of chronic poverty and distress.

“And as regards the tenant farmers it would be not only ingratitude, but the highest folly and unwisdom, not to rally round the Party and cheer and help them until they had achieved the full measure of the nation’s rights.

“I can answer for the men of this district that they will be true to their colours, that they will not be betrayed from the true political path by the witching words of factionists. We do not mind naval scares or Home-Rule-all-round scares in these parts.”

1935

Gelignite explosion

Paddy Acton, a young man living in Moycullen, and Frank Hegarty, Co. Donegal, sustained extensive injuries when a blast of gelignite exploded at their feet while they were engaged in blasting operations on a sewerage scheme for Messrs. McNally and Sons, building contractors, Galway, near the Galway Central Hospital at noon on Saturday. It is stated that the blast was not laid when the explosion occurred.

Young Acton received the most extensive injuries. His left eye was destroyed and his right eye injured. He sustained a severe gash on his forehead, another on the lower part of his face, an extensive wound under his throat and several smaller cuts and bruises. One of Hegarty’s eyes was also slightly injured. He received several severe cuts about the head. A third man, Patrick O’Loughlin, Grealishtown, received injuries in one of his hands but though severe, they were not very serious. His hand was dressed at the Central Hospital and he was discharged.

The other two men, Acton and Hegarty, were rushed immediately to the Central Hospital for treatment and are detained.

A “Connacht Tribune” representative was informed at the Central Hospital on Tuesday morning that both men are progressing favourably.

End of the line

The work of removing the railway between Clifden and Galway is going speedily forward. The tracks are being transported by lorry to Clifden Quay where they await shipment. It is proposed to bring a two hundred ton ship to the quay and if the first load, which will be taken within the next few weeks, is taken successfully away, the remainder of the rails will also be sent from Clifden.

Language revival

It would be a mistake to think that the work of the Gaelic League is done, and that there is no further need for such an organisation. It is more necessary now than ever. It should provide learners of the language with just those opportunities which the schoolroom alone cannot be expected to provide fully.

It must not be forgotten, however, that the revival of the language is not the only object of the League. The League’s programme is much more comprehensive, and should commend itself to every Irishman who has the cultural interest of the country at heart.

Nor is it absolutely necessary to be an Irish speaker to be a member of the League; there are many ways which the League can be helped by those who have not yet become, and perhaps never will become, fluent Irish speakers.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.