"An Tóstal" was a concept dreamt up by Bórd Fáilte in 1953 to depict and showcase various aspects of Irish life and culture throughout the country, and in so doing, to extend the tourist season, which in those days lasted for a few weeks in the summer. They hoped in particular to attract American visitors. Every town and village was encouraged to form An Tóstal committees and devise a programme of events during the last two weeks of April using the theme "Ireland at Home".

It could be said that An Tóstal introduced the concept of festivals to Ireland. It was the biggest thing to hit the country for a long time and Bórd Fáilte really got into their stride in their marketing ideas. You could buy An Tóstal stamps, postcards, key rings, tiepins, badges, flags etc. The festival was hugely popular for a number of years but eventually, people lost interest. It was often affected by very wet weather which did not help.

Among the people who served on the Galway committee were Alderman Peter Greene who at one time was mayor, Gerard Bartley who was the Minister for Defence, Fr. O'Dwyer S.J., Edward Coughlan, Jimmy Cranny, Leonard and Barry Martyn, George Duncan, Henry Wall, Seamus Cox, Máire and Seán Stafford and Jack Fitzgerald. The main event in the Galway programme was the National Currach Racing Finals. It took place one year at the Claddagh, and every other year along the prom. It drew huge crowds of up to 60,000 people from all over the country. You would hear more Irish than English being spoken and there was this wonderful mixture of accents from Aran and Kerry and Donegal etc. Stages were built at intervals along the prom for traditional musicians and dancers. It was very exciting and they held canoe races between the currach races. Jimmy Cranny started the races using a small cannon belonging to Dick Byrne. Competition was intense. The Joyces from Conamara achieved legendary status as bádóirí. In addition to the main prize there was a Galway Tóstal Trophy for junior crews and there was always a Festival Dance in the Hangar that night.

During the fortnight, a series of céilis and concerts and siamsai were organised.

Among the other events was a parade which was a combination of marching bands and groups and also industrial floats which allowed local businesses to show off their wares. The emphasis was on the Irish language. Our photograph today shows an ESB float which conveyed the message that electricity was supplied to industry 24 hours a day and that rural electrification was progressing. The float is outside ESB headquarters in Newotwnsmyth. Standing in front are ESB personnel Matt Flynn, Seán Foley, Henry Wall, Jimmy Francis and Mr. Jordan. The man on the left standing on the truck is Tony Cogan. We have not been able to identify the other two.

Our thanks to Leo Wall for this photograph.

The Galway Archaeological and Historical Society are hosting a lecture on Monday next, February 9th in the Harbour Hotel at 8pm. The title is "Do I wake or do I sleep? The West in contemporary writing", and it will be given by Dr. John Kenny from UCG. It will include a survey of recent literary fictions about the west which will be offered with a formal as well as an historical focus, but it will also be looking to the future. All are welcome.

Please forward any queries/comments to oldgalway@kennys.ie