Galway in Days Gone By
Our Archives: Dangerous Visitors at Galway races and a ‘Red’ Michael D
1915
Dangerous visitors
The pickpockets, on the whole, had a poor time. The English “crooks” have been so well watched that, for the present, at any rate, they have suspended activities at Irish meetings. But we had some of the greatest “crooks” that the Irish police know, and it is not to be wondered at that one gentleman missed a sum of £25 at the bazaar, while many minor articles of clothing were missing. The detectives, however, did their work well. But it is not a little amazing how easily respectably-dressed young ladies pick up acquaintances. In at least two instances, they were to be seen making all too free with characters who had already won notoriety in the police records. Assuredly, the Vigilance Committee needs to look after more than the children.
1940
All-Ireland title
The one topic of conversation in Athenry at present is the great victory of Michael Walsh in the All-Ireland senior soft ball championship. Walsh, who learned his hand in his native town, Athenry, beat Hasset, Tipperary, in the final 21-15, 21-12, 21-16. By this victory, Walsh sets up a new record and a so-far unbeaten one, as he is the first Galway man to win the senior singles and Purcell cup. In the semi-final, Hasset defeated Gilmartin, holder of four All-Ireland titles. In the second semi-final, Walsh beat Garda Perry, Roscommon, who has held the title for eight years.
1965
Tribune changes
After more than half a century, the Connacht Tribune adopts Front Page News. Gone are the advertisements from page 1 to an inside page. In the place they occupied so long are some of the current news stories. As our readers take this issue of the Connacht Tribune in their hands that change to front page news may appear to them to be the most striking innovation. There are, however, other changes not less important. Our paper this week contains 20 pages, four more pages than usual.
1990
Michael D a ‘red’
The Mayor of Galway, Deputy Michael D Higgins, has been accused of being a ‘red’ by the Mayor of a small city in the Soviet Union! In fact, so serious was the accusation, that the delegation from the Latvian city of Ventspils showed little interest in coming to Galway until there is a change of Mayor. Deputy Higgins found he had little in common with Ventspils’ Mayor during a three-day visit to Lorient in Brittany at the weekend for the opening of the Interceltic Festival. Learning of Deputy Higgins’ politics and his work as a Labour Dáil Deputy, the Latvians were particularly critical of his views and refused to hold discussions with him.
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
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.
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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