May 19, 2011

Date Published: 18-May-2011

1911

Galway AhoyThat Galway Bay, practically landlocked as it is, with a depth of water suitable for the reception of large and deep-drafted vessels, is suitable in every respect for an ocean port, and superior to other possible ports, is the declared opinion of Mr. Hurtzog – the senior partner of the firm of Sir Benjamin Baker and Co, which constructed the Nile Dam at Aswam – who was one of an influential deputation which inspected Galway Harbour on Tuesday.

On Monday, a meeting of Galway trans-Atlantic Port Committee had before it a large quantity of correspondence from railway companies and public bodies interested in the proposed line of steamers from Galway to Canada, all of which promised their best support to the project.

Arrangements have been made for laying before the Colonial Premiers, at their meeting in London, the great facilities afforded by selecting Galway as the terminus for the Canadian service, and pointing out its superiority to any other port in Ireland.

It was intimated by letter that the promoters intended visiting Galway very shortly in order to inspect the site of the proposed pier and landing stage, the intended railway route, and to ascertain to a nicety every particular in connection with the project.

Criminal conspiracyOn Wednesday last, three young men, all of Ballyglass, parish of Tynagh, were arrested at their homes and conveyed to Ballyshrule police barracks where a special court was held, presided over by Mr. Jasper White, R.M. They were charged with unlawful assembly on April 9 in assembling with other persons under such circumstances as to cause terror to a man and intimidate him from doing work which he had a legal right to do, viz: to hold a farm at Crannagh, Tynagh. Each of the defendants was bound to the peace for fourteen months, themselves on £20 each and two sureties of £10 each.

1936

Poteen huntIt is known throughout Connemara that intense activity has prevailed among the officers and men of the Garda throughout the area during the past few months with regard to poteen making. Special ‘dawn patrols’ have been undertaken by parties on revenue duty and some amazing tales are related of exciting chases and captures.

As usual, the Oughterard station is well to the fore and is maintaining its reputation for skill and dash in pursuit of the secret distilleries. On Good Friday, they conducted a search of the lonely little islets on Lough Corrib, near Gortmore, during the early hours of the morning.

On one of the islands, they found several barrels of wash, together with stills and still-heads as well as a quantity of other equipment for use in the making of poteen. In the same island, they found a quantity of provisions, the remains of a regular number of cooking utensils.

The sergeant and his party, prepared for a long wait, took cover and lay in ambush for the ‘shebeeners’ on a neighbouring islet. After some hours lying in a cramped position, they observed a boat with several men on board approach the encampment. The men disembarked and commenced distillation.

The Gardaí then broke cover and on sighting them, the distillers at once took to flight hotly pursued by the revenue party. By means of a sail, it was stated, they succeeded in making good their escape, leaving the Gardaí in possession of the spoils, which included several gallons of first-shot whiskey in a large keg.

Corrib firePleasure-seekers who were returning down the Corrib on Sunday after spending the afternoon boating on the lake, were treated to a thrilling sight when they saw an area of over a square mile of sedge in flames. It appears that trippers who were picnicking at the mount of ‘The Cut’, left a fire lighting after them. The fire was an awesome sight, reminiscent of an Australian bush fire at its fiercest. On Monday morning when the fire had burned itself out, the banks of the Corrib were a desolate site.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.