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Old Galway
The Garra Glas in the Claddagh
The Garra Glas (The green field or green garden) was an area of the Claddagh which corresponds to where the Fire Station is today. Our photograph was taken in the 1930’s when things were changing in the area …. the old Claddagh houses were being gradually knocked down to make way for those that are there today. Kerbstones were being laid down to frame the newly laid road surface.The house we see on the left belonged to the Flaherty family. The building next to it was obviously converted from a cottage into a workshop of some kind with the large beam supporting
Executions in Galway Gaol
This photograph of the main entrance to Galway Gaol (facing the Salmon Weir Bridge) was taken in 1903. It was an imposing and intimidating building. The execution chamber was just over the main gate, and many prisoners perished there.Among those were three men, Thomas Higgins (Long), Patrick Higgins and Michael Flynn who were found guilty of killing bailiff John Huddy and his grandson at Cloughbrack on Lord Ardilaun’s estate. They dumped the bodies into Lough Mask, and as a result were tried and convicted and finally hanged in January 1883 by executioner William Marwood.
Memories of the Hangar
What we know as Salthill Park was originally a large field with a small lake. It was landscaped in 1907. In 1925, the Salthill Development Organisation (SDO) asked the Corporation to clean up a cesspool there, but that took some years. In 1924, three councillors, Mr. Bailey, Eyre Square, Martin Cooke and John Coogan bought an aeroplane hangar for the Urban Council for £400. It had been used by the RAF in Oranmore, and was re-erected it in the park. It was called the Pavilion Ballroom, but everyone knew it as 'the Hangar'.
Woolies in Galway
In the early 1950’s the chain of shops owned by Woolworths was expanding, but they did experience some difficulty establishing a branch in Galway. It appears some councillors and retailers resisted the move, but after several failed attempts, ‘Woolies’ (as they became known), acquired the former site of the old Royal Hotel on the Square. They knocked the hotel and put up a purpose built retail store. As the day of the opening approached, local interest became intense.
Fresh Herrings, Scibs and Red Petticoats
This photograph of a very animated open air fish market was taken about 100 years ago, and shows lots of creels, scibs, various types of basket, a wondrous variety of patterned shawls, petticoats and práiscíns. There seems to be more selling than buying. It must have been very colourful and competitive …. Just imagine them all calling out, in lovely Galway accents, “Fresh Herrings”, “Johnny Dory” etc.The fish market used to be on Bridge Street until they opened the original Wolfe Tone bridge in 1887.The bridge made it easy for Claddagh women to congregate in front of the Spanish Arch to sell their wares.
Galway Dancers on Their Way to Lorrient
There is a general lack of specific references to dancing in our older literature, but it would be remarkable if there was no dancing in ancient Ireland, if a people with a native taste for music had no knowledge of the kindred art of dancing. The two words in Irish for dance, “Damhsa” and ‘Rince’ are derived from the French “Danse” and the English ‘Rink’ meaning to skate on ice.Allusions to country dances are abundant during the 17th century, but they give very little idea as to how the dances were done.Irish dancing reached the height of its perfection in the solo or step dances,
Shantallow House
Our photograph today shows two unidentified young ladies standing in front of Shantallow house in the mid 1940’s. Prior to the building of the council houses we know as Shantalla, this house was more or less surrounded by green fields. At one time the house was owned by a distinguished engineer named William Blood, who was related to the Maunsell family from across the road in Fort Eyre. Blood’s nephew was George Johnson Stoney who was Professor of Natural Philosophy in Queen’s College, Galway from 1853-57, and who lived in this house during that time. He was a distinguished amateur scientist who worked for a time as Lord Rosse’s
From Galway to New York in 1952
The Aisling was a rig kedge which was built in McDonagh’s Boatyard in 1946 by John McNally to a design by A.A. Pemberthy who was a district engineer with the ESB. It was intended for Mediterranean cruises. Most of the vessel was of timber cut in County Galway and it also included part of the recently demolished stand at Balybrit. John McNally unfortunately died before the boat was built, and a man called Tony Jacob from Rosslare bought the half finished vessel. He had gone to school with Fionn and Christo her Darby from Killiney, with Anthony Blyth from Athenry and with David Webb from Nenagh.Having bought the boat, he contacted his schoolmates with a proposal, and they all jumped at the chance