Galway In Days Gone By
A browse through the archives of the Connacht Tribune
1926
398,000 bus passengers
Mr. T.C. McDonagh, chairman, presided at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Galway Omnibus Company held at the company's offices, Victoria-place, Galway, on last Friday.The chairman reviewed the position of the company since 1913 when they first started.
He said that the number of vehicles then purchased was 3, and those vehicles were bought at a time when they were at their high-water mark. Those vehicles were sold in 1924 and replaced by new up-to-date buses and char-a-bancs. The fleet now consisted of 5 vehicles, which were kept in first-class condition. The number of passengers carried during the year was 398,120.
Mr. P. J. O'Flaherty expressed his disappointment that the company had not paid any dividend, and said that when the company was formed he was given to understand that a dividend of 5 per cent, would be paid and maintained. He was of opinion that fares should be maintained at a level so as to pay this dividend and to maintain it.
Mr Cremen said that he did not agree with that. The balance sheet showed a profit of £700 and he did not think that that was so bad. The company was a great convenience to the public, and he had pleasure to express his approval of the balance sheet.
Mr. Jackson said he wanted to call attention to the fact that tours were being arranged, and Mr. Crowley said that these should be advertised. Mr. Cremen said that many people were not aware that the buses were taking trips on particular days until they were all over. It was agreed to advertise all trips in the future.
1951
Boys’ remarkable escape
A group of senior boys at Galway Grammar School had a remarkable escape from serious injuries when a large portion of their dormitory ceiling collapsed last night.
Mr. G.W. Coughlan, Headmaster, told our reporter today that the collapse was caused by a 24 foot wooden beam having been charred through by a chimney fire. Weh the beam collapsed, it brought with it two other beams and half the ceiling.
He said that the dormitory now resembled a bombed structure. He described the boys’ escape as miraculous as they had left the dormitory barely a minute before the collapse.
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The Fire Brigade and Gardai were on the scene a quarter of an hour after the alarm and the chimney fire was quenched without difficulty. Nobody was injured and damage is estimated at several hundred pounds.
Mr. Coughlan said the cause of the collapse was “an old story” as in many old buildings ceiling beams went right into chimney flues and successive chimney fires charred them until eventually they came down.
The Fire Brigade were called at 2.30 a.m. but the blaze was not big at the time and after using three seventy-foot lengths of hose for about ten minutes they cut off the water. They stood by until 4.30. Others who were present to assist included Guards Downey and Sweeney.
1976
Sexual ‘deviations’ criticised
The Bishop of Galway, Most Rev. Dr. Michael Browne, has hit out at “deviations” in sexual behaviour, which, he says in his Lenten Pastoral, are the “most telling indication of ever-increasing moral corruption”.
These deviations, the Bishop asserted, were not merely contrary to God's law, but they undermined the very order which He had pieced in nature itself.
The Bishop of Galway, Most Rev. Dr. Michael Browne, has hit out at “deviations” in sexual behaviour
Referring to the Church's teaching on chastity, Dr. Browne said it stated that it was gravely sinful for anyone to knowingly and deliberately seek sexual pleasure for reasons other than to create children.
The pastoral reiterated the Church's teaching on aspects of the 6th and 9th Commandments as outlined in the recent Papal document.
These are the Commandments which protect the sanctity of marriage and deal with the virtue of duality. It was usual, he stated, because in this present period of human history the most telling indication of ever-increasing moral corruption was the serious deviations encouraged and practised in sexual behaviour. These deviations were not merely contrary to God's law but they undermined the very order which he had placed in nature itself.
2001
Bypass opposition">opposition
Local residents on both sides of the River Corrib have pledged In press on with their campaign against the proposed eastern bypass of Galway City – even though the preferred route for the project is due to be unveiled this Friday.
The precise route for the N6 outer bypass and the R336 western approach road is due to be announced at a joint meeting of Galway Corporation and the County Council at County Hall tomorrow (Friday) afternoon.
Consultants Brian Hanley and Company published their emerging preferred route late last year — it is one of three initial options which includes a controversial fifth bridge across the Corrib near Menlo village.
The Hands Across the Corrib residents’ group and the Galway Environmental Alliance reiterated their opposition to the new bypass this week, claiming that the local authorities should consider a new transport initiative for the city and county instead.
“Many people feel that the road is really about opening-up land for development and there is huge merit in looking at other options, including a light rail service, park and ride facilities. and improved public transport,” said Hands Across the Corrib spokeswoman Jacqui O’Dowd.
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“Many people believe that a whole new transport initiative should be looked at before any major decision is taken.
“For example, there is no public transport across the Quincentenary Bridge at present and there is no awards system in place for people who are car-pooling.”
She said that improved public transport would greatly reduce traffic between the east and west sides of the city while the option of a light rail network would eliminate any need for a new road bridge across the Corrib.
Late last year, over 4,000 people expressed opposition to the proposed route when they replied to questionnaires circulated by the National Roads Authority in areas such as Menlo. Castlegar, Bushypark and Tonabrucky.
A County Council spokesman declined to comment on the opposition to the proposed route for the bypass.