Galway In Days Gone By

Great War ends

The section of people in this country who, purely for political motives, cultivated as one of their many delusions, the belief that the Central Empires were invincible, the news that came to hand on Monday morning seemed almost incredible.

Yet so it was: victory for the Allies, and the unconditional surrender of Germany. So the armies on the field had long believed it would be; so those who have had the opportunity of studying the conditions on the western front at first hand have repeatedly stated, although few of the many who spoke and wrote on the war anticipated until a few weeks ago that the end was so nigh.

Loughrea influenza attack

A number of residents in the town have been attacked by influenza, and during last week nine deaths occurred from pneumonia. The victims include Mr. John Flynn, son of Mr. M. Flynn, Dunkellin-st; Mrs. M. Tierney, Galway-rd.; Mrs. T. Naughton, Abbey-st; and the Misses Nellie and Delia Cunnaire, Church-st., who were interred on the same day. Their father, Mr. John Cunnaire, has since died. Among the sufferers are five of the local clergy, the Master of the Workhouse, and three hospital nurses.

On Friday evening the remains were conveyed from Dublin for internment at Killeenadeema of Miss Nellie Flynn, daughter of Mr. M. Flynn, Cahercrea, who contracted influenza while engaged at business in the city. There are no fresh cases reported and the epidemic appears to be on the wane.

Mistreated mule

At Galway Petty Sessions on Monday before Messrs. J. Kilbride and J. B. K. Hill. R.Ms – Constable Cullen charged Thomas Roche, a rag dealer, stated to hail from Athlone, with working a mule while suffering from sores.

There were three sores, one of which appeared to come into contact with the shaft of the ear. The animal was in an ill-fed condition. Mrs. Shewell, Hon. Secretary, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, stated that she purchased the animal for two pounds, and in consequence of its delicate condition she had it shot. – Defendant was fined 40s.

1943

Poteen haul

Thanks to Sergeant O’Flaherty, Gortmore, there will be about twenty gallons less of poteen in circulation on the Christmas market this year. According to his evidence at Spiddal Court on Tuesday, where Peter Nee, Derryrush, was charged under the Illicit Distillation Act, the Sergeant found Nee in a still-house in front of a still with all preparations made for “a run.” The material in the still-house would make twenty gallons of poteen. Nee pleaded guilty and was fined £6 to be paid within two months.

Another interesting poteen case at Spiddal Court on Tuesday was one in which the defendant was a woman named Mrs. Peg Folan, of Inisherk, Lettermore.

Garda Gibbons, Lettermore, said that on July 15th he and Garda Kinnealy paid a surprise visit to Inisherk.

As they approached Mrs. Folan’s house they saw a boy standing at the gable apparently keeping a look-out. They next saw a woman running towards the shore. About fifteen yards from the house was a stable from which they noticed smoke. Inside the stable they found everything ready for the making of poteen. Mrs. Folan subsequently admitted ownership of the still and other things found in the stable.

Mr. M. Conroy, solicitor, defending, said that Mrs. Folan’s husband was in England and she was a very poor woman.

Deputy District Justice J. P. O’Reilly imposed a fine of £6 to be paid within three months.

Parental responsibility

His Lordship the Most Rev. Dr. Browne, Bishop of Galway, stated at the annual meeting of the Galway Branch of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (of which he is Patron) in the G.S.R. Hotel, Eyre Square, on Wednesday afternoon that at the present time there was a greater need than ever for the society.

The increased need, his Lordship said, was due in the first instance to the absence of many fathers either in the Army or across the water, and in the second to a decline in the acceptance of parental responsibility and a loss of interest in children.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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