Galway In Days Gone By
1925
Lifted to new heights
The lift for the Railway Hotel at Galway has just been completed. It is driven by a 4 h.p. electric motor housed on the roof, is capable of carrying four persons, is well lighted and ventilated, and is made to descend to the basement or rise to the third, or top, floor.
The hotel refreshment room, dining-room and lounges are now exceedingly comfortable and when the hall lounge is completed, the Great Southern at Galway will be one of the finest hotels in the provinces.
A garage capable of accommodating seven cars has been erected next to the incoming platform, and the little garden in the vicinity alongside the hotel has been neatly cultivated.
A shelter belt of trees on the embankments on the railway leading to the docks would be a considerable improvement.
Mr. Joseph Delaney, the popular and enterprising proprietor of the Imperial, has extended the accommodation of his hotel considerably and carried out the most useful improvements.
He has received deserved commendation for the manner in which recent public luncheons and dinners were served at his hotel.
1950
On a mission
Five Sisters left the Presentation Convent, Tuam, on Friday last to travel to New Zealand where they will found the first house of the Presentation Order in that country.
This is the first time that members of this community have gone abroad on missionary work. They have been invited by Most Rev. Dr. McKeefrey, Co-Adjutor Archbishop of New Zealand, to take up teaching in his diocese in Taita, and have been granted permission to do so by Most Rev. Dr. Walsh, Archbishop of Tuam.
Many friends of the community in Tuam wished them “God-Speed”. The sisters were met in Dublin by members of the Presentation Convent (Tuam) Past Pupils’ Committee and were presented with a set of carved Irish oak ornaments by Miss Mary Gallagher, president of the committee. They were accompanied to the boat by Rev. Mother Peter Kelly.
The Sisters who left are: Mother M. Xavier Curran, a native of Headford; Sr. M. Philomena McHugh of Tuam; Sr. M. Pius Carney of Aughamora, Co. Mayo; Sr. M. Perpetua Leahy of Kilmorna, Co. Kerry; and Sr. M. Asicus Shanagher of Ballintober, Castlerea.
They are expected to arrive in New Zealand on January 9th.
Pictured: This lone rider in Eyre Square found alternative means of transport during European Car Free Day in September 2001. PHOTO: Joe O'Shaughnessy.