This photograph was taken about a hundred years ago, and shows where Salthill Promenade began. The wall we see on the right was a boundary wall of O'Malley's garden, adjacent to a private house that is the Garda Barracks today. In front of that house was an extensive garden and tennis court. The section of wall we see would coincide roughly with where the Rockland Hotel is today.

Notice the rough road surface, and the height of the electricity poles. The footpath on the left is roughly where the traffic island in the middle of the road is today. The prom was crooked and winding and much narrower than it is today. There were no big boulders protecting it from high seas. There was virtually no beach, just rocks and shingle and seaweed. The beach seems to have been created later when the piers and breakwaters were built.

A newspaper report of August 1905 stated that "The holiday folk have no cause for complaint this season as regards amusements as there is an abundance in this fashionable resort. The highly esteemed and popular caterer Mr. J. Toft with his famous combination is stationed here for the season, and the hundreds of people who flock to partake of the 'good things'provided enjoy themselves to their heart's content. High flying swings, roundabouts, Aunt Sallys, shooting galleries, roulettes and numerous other novelties, in fact everything in the way of outdoor novelties that the most fastidious person would wish for. The Bioscope Pictures are well patronised and are worth a visit. For a nominal sum, you can witness the most up to date exhibition in the County. The military orchestraphons delight every one & Mr. Toft must be congratulated for the manner in which he is catering for the holiday seekers. The public should avail themselves of witnessing this magnificent show (a blaze of electricity) during it's stay in Salthill.

Another correspondent, writing about that time said "When we were children, my sister and I were sent each Summer to Salthill for a month, usually at Mrs. Corral's cottage Villa Maria, near the post office. We went by train, 3rd class, on hard benches, but our pony and trap and a milch cow travelled the 27 miles by road. I suppose it took them two days over it. Salthill was then a small seaside village. It was served by a horse drawn tram from Galway. The trams arrival every two hours,heralded by a tinkling of bells on the horses collars was awaited by us children with unending joy and expectation".

In 1928, the Urban Council discussed the problem of lighting the prom. "It is very hard to distinguish between the beach and the promenade�.anyone not knowing the place might fall down on the beach�should not lamps be put out there as far as Blackrock".

In April 1934, waves swept with terrible force against the sea walls, swept over the road and into the fields on the other side. One huge wave swept over The Galway Omnibus Company bus on it's way to Spiddal and provided a thrill for the passengers. Although the waves dashed into the field in front of the Pavilion, the water did not rise as far as the dance hall and the usual Sunday night dance was not interfered with.

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