December 17, 2010

Forestry protestRev. Dr. Kielty, P.P., presided at a meeting at Ballygar to protest against the block in the distribution of the Bagot estate by the Agricultural Board purchasing Aughrane Castle and 300 acres of demesne to establish a scheme of forestry.

Amongst the resolutions was one expressing dissatisfaction at the way in which the Estates Commissioners dealt with the arable lands within the demesne, and calling them to distribute these in accordance with the agreement.

Strength in unityAll earnest Nationalists in the town of Loughrea will rejoice to find the Loughrea Town Tenants’ Association and the United Irish League uniting together in the endeavour to effect the sale of the town.

The meeting on Friday night was characterised by unanimity and a brisk and business-like discussion that should mark every meeting held under the National banner for progressive purposes.

Intemperance evilAt a sermon, the Bishop of Galway, Most Rev. Dr. O’Dea, said that of all the evils that beset Irish life, none had done so much injury as intemperance. Intemperance appeared to be the one failing of the Irish people.

“But, thank God, the great wave of temperance that has spread all over the West has altered this. Public opinion has at last been aroused, and the people now looked upon drink with a feeling of disgust,” he said.

After sobriety, he did not think there was any virtue more necessary than public justice. Everything had been taken from us in the past, but by degrees we were regaining the power of ruling ourselves.

Councillor chargedAt a special court held at Galway on last Friday morning before Mr. J. Kilbride, R.M., Mr. James Delaney, R.D.C., secretary Castlegar branch, United Irish League, was charged on remand with distributing intimidatory notices at Castlegar.

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Bogslide dangerIt is feared that if the heavy rains experienced in South Galway for the past week continues there is grave danger of another move at the Killenena bog. Several acres which are surrounded by high hills and mountains where there was a previous bog slide are at present menacing, and the shaky nature of the surface would indicate that the bog is waterlogged. The recent heavy rains have caused floods in the district and there are large areas under water for the past week. Precautions are being taken lest the bog may again move.

Film prosecutionAt Glenamaddy District Court before Mr. H. Hamilton, D.J., Bracey Daniels, proprietor of a travelling cinema show, was prosecuted under the Censorship Film Act 1926 for having on November 3 shown a film entitled “The White Devil” in Glenamaddy Town Hall without having shown the Official Censor’s certificate before the picture was shown.

Defendant said that as he was about to put the film into the machine it broke and the part of the Censor’s certificate could not be inserted. He told the Justice that a film had been banned on him in Ballyjamesduff. He had been 28 years touring the country and had never been prosecuted before.

The Justice said the offence was a technical one, and whilst the guards were right in bringing the case, he would not break the defendant’s good record and he dismissed the case.

Tourist trafficThe Christmas tourist traffic is now in full swing and the numbers disembarking at our ports from Atlantic liners are considerably larger than in previous. The Scythia – a Cunard liner – arrived at Galway on Saturday last and disembarked 104 passengers. At Cobh on Sunday, 35 passengers were landed.

The other trans-Atlantic steamship companies express satisfaction with the numbers who are travelling to Ireland for the Christmas. On Wednesday, the General Von Steuben arrived in Galway with a large continent, and the Brittanic is also expected to carry a large number of visitors.

Poteen seizureGuards from Galway carried out a raid for poteen in the Moycullen area on Saturday morning and discovered a few gallons of the spirit on an island on the Corrib. Wash and paraphernalia for the manufacture of poteen were also discovered and seized, but no arrests were made. 

For more read page 36 of this week's Connacht Tribune.