Galway In Days Gone By

Gaeltacht commission

The Gaeltacht Commission, which sat in Galway this week, heard evidence on various problems affecting the economic life of the country west of the Shannon, particularly in relation to the Connemara district.

The evidence which impressed the members of the Commission most was that tendered by witnesses who advocated the afforestation of Connemara, and the setting up of a school of navigation and fishery.

When the poverty-stricken condition of the people of the Gaeltacht was made the subject of long editorial comment in the early spring in the Irish and English Press, various remedies were suggested, but few of these could be recommended as practicable.

We stated in these columns at the time that one of the greatest needs in Connemara is tree planting on such a scale as would have the effect of converting a barren soil into one of comparatively bountiful yield.

Our opinions were vindicated by experts who gave evidence at the Commission. The work of afforestation on a large scale to be really effective is one that might tax the resources of the State to a great extent at a time when the country is suffering from the economic paralysis due to the world war and our own civil strife in Ireland.

1950

Lifesaving surgery

Some three months ago, 22-year-old Michael Dolan left his home at St. Vincent’s Terrace, Woodquay, Galway, for Castlerea Sanatorium with but a faint hope of ever coming home alive again.

With the advance of medical science within the last twelve months, the faint hope became a certainty and a wonder operation produced dramatic results.

Today the patient, who was given but a few months to live, is at home, very much alive and completely cured.

For five years, a form of rheumatic heart disease had caused him to have frequent collapses and weaknesses. The condition grew steadily worse until it became apparent that he was ebbing and it was decided to prepare the patient for one of the most amazing and altogether remarkable surgical operations of modern times.

Pictured: Galway Cathedral under construction in 1964, with the gaol wall still in place. The cathedral opened in August 1965.