December 22, 2009

New DeanThe recent appointment of a Catholic priest as Dean in Residence in the University College, Galway, emphasises the removal of the ban which the Church in her zeal for the spiritual interests of her children, decreed wise to place on the educational system administered in the old Queen’s College, and marks the dawn of a new era in the history of higher education on the West.

Christmas behind barsJohn Joe Garry, a well-known Galway character, will spend his Christmas in prison. John Joe has often been before the court hitherto, but never for such a serious offence as that with which he was charged at the City Petty Sessions on Monday before Mr. Kilbride, R.M., Colonel Woods, and Mr. James M. Campbell, when he appeared in the dock for the larceny of £3 from an Aran Islander.

The story of the larceny was told by Pat Connelly, of Aran, who related that he came into Galway on the 18th December. On the following day, he went into Lydon’s public house with an Aran man. He took out his purse to pay for a drink, and left it on a half-barrel. He paid for the drink with a half-sovereign. Garry was in the shop at the time. Witness knew him well and gave him a penny.

When down as far as Cooke’s, witness missed his purse, and he went back and reported the matter to the publican’s son. They searched the shop, and Garry came back with the purse. Mr Lydon counted £6 in it; the remainder was missing. Garry said he did not take any money out of the purse.

Constable McGloin found the £3 note subsequently in a hole in the wall with a stone over it. The Chairman said they had the record of the accused before them, and Sergeant O’Neill said he had nothing to add to it (laughter).

The accused was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment with hard labour, the Chairman of the Court remarking that it was a mean larceny.

1934

Boisterous spiritsChristmas was celebrated, not wisely, but too well, by not a few in Galway and, because of the methods adopted in some cases to attract a wide audience to their displays of high spirits in the streets, it was only natural that Gardaí should be amongst those who witnessed the performances.

The next step in the scheme of things was to Eglinton Street Station, and here that boisterous spirit of gaiety quickly cooled off in the unsympathetic surroundings of a bare room.

Some of the festive ones became aggressive and some minor squabbles took place. One man was struck on the head with a bottle and was removed to the Central Hospital where he was detained.

Gaeltacht grantsThe £2 grant for children in Gaelic-speaking houses is generally acclaimed as one of the most practical schemes that has become operational in the Gaeltacht. So far, it is not possible to ascertain how many will benefit in Connemara, but it is expected that the number will be very large.

From one school (Derryvoreada) at Recess, it is reported that £180 has been paid to date. The area is not wealthy, so the money has come at a welcome time.

Legion of MaryA branch of the Legion of Mary has been established at Ballinasloe, having had the approval of the Bishop of the diocese. Rev. Fr. E. Hughes, Adm., St Michael’s, at last Mass on Sunday, spoke of the work and activities of the Legion in other parts of Ireland and throughout the world and said the cooperation and help of active Legionaries was needed to combat many of the evil influences which were at present creeping in and operating in the country.

Christmas rushBusiness house owners in Ballinasloe report an extra rush during the Christmas holidays as compared to the past couple of years; there seems to be no shortage of money and there was an extra amount of shopping, and money was freely spent. There seemed to be no shortage of cash in the buying of Christmas presents, and the business houses in nearly all cases followed the old time custom of giving customers ‘Christmas boxes’ or presents. 

For more, read page 22 of this week's Connacht Tribune.