Galway in Days Gone By

New sports ground

At the meeting of Galway Urban Council, a letter was read from Mr. Thornton, Secretary of the Galway West Board of the G.A.A., urging on the Council the desirability of establishing a property sports ground at South Park.

Mr. J. Griffin said he understood in Dublin at the last match, there was a thousand pounds taken. If they could see their way to make the field right, it would be a great advantage.

Docks war bonus

On Friday night last, a deputation of the National union of Dock Labourers, Galway branch, met the employers to discuss the crux which had arisen at the docks. After the pros and cons of the question had been debated, it was decided to give the permanent men 2s. a week of a war bonus, the casuals to work at the old rate. This the men agreed to.

A few days subsequently, another crux arose which has not yet been settled. In the official intimation of the terms to the men, it was stated that the war bonus would be discontinued if there was any breach of agreement. The men, rightly or wrongly, thought they saw in this a loophole left open to the employers to seize the first opportunity to withdraw the bonus.

1940

Mental hospital cost

Dr. Joseph Kearney, the Commissioner administering the affair of the Ballinasloe Mental Hospital, adopted an estimate for 1941-42 at the meeting of the hospital for £133,738, or an increased demand over last year of over £23,000.

It was a startling increase and demand to make on the ratepayers of County Galway and Roscommon, he said, but it was due to the increased costs and Castlerea, and increased costs of all necessities in all department in the institution.

Appeal for volunteers

A strong appeal to the young men in Headford and district to join the L.S.F. was made by representatives of different political parties speaking after an L.S.F. parade through the town.

District Leader Margetts said the L.S.F. was formed for the defence of the country. It was not formed from any material point of view, or for any political purpose, but simply for the defence of the country should the necessity arise during the present world crisis.

He had seen the horrors of war in other countries and how terrible they were for men, women and children and this Local Security Force has been formed here to ensure that similar horrors would not be brought to our own island.

They had the best manhood in the country in the L.S.F., but there were many more equally good who had not yet joined up. Headford had distinguished itself in the past in the fight for freedom and to protect their women and children, their homes and their property.

He appealed to all able-bodied young men in the parish to join the L.S.F. and thus assist in safeguarding all they held dear for the glory and honour of Ireland.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.