THE FORSTER STREET TIMES, 1964-1966
by Tom Kenny
Those were the years that a very enthusiastic and talented group of children in the Forster Street area ran a local newspaper each summer under the banner ‘The Forster Street Times’. Their motto “Frank, Fearless and Free” was beneath the title. It was frank, it was fearless but it was not free, it cost a penny an issue for the first two years. Economic circumstances being what they were in the mid-sixties, they were forced (because of the heavy cost of printing and the increased wages for the staff) to put the price up to two pence per issue in their third year.
It was printed and produced by a group of imaginative young local people who got together during their summer holidays. Every copy was handwritten and published in an office which doubled as a tea and flour store at the back of Rabbitt’s Pub and Grocery. It ran from June 1964 to July 1966. Arthur Keaveney was the editor, Peter Rabbitt was the chief reporter and Seamus Francis was the other founder. Among those who helped to produce and print the paper were Tom Tyrrell, John Rabbitt, Gay Keaveney, Noel Greally and Michael Whelan. Each issue was copied from a master file. It was written on a four page copybook (back to back) and each edition usually contained an editorial; Letters to the Editor; Sport; Advertisements; Social and personal column; News reports; Church; School; St. Patrick’s Brass band; Fairgreen; Magdalen Field and other topics. It was a weekly paper for the first two years, in the third year, it came out twice weekly. It was very well supported locally. Staff members sold their own copies and I am sure very few survive today, which is a great pity.
Arthur Keaveney’s editorials were deliberately provocative and focussed mainly on local issues, for example the edition of June 16th, 1965. ‘In Forster Street there are many people who do not treat this paper seriously. They laugh at our motto Frank, Fearless and Free. There are those who say we are foolish to spend the days of summer on a paper and there are the new readers who say we are a flash in the pan not realising this is our second year as a paper. Worst of all are those who laugh at our news calling it trivial. They are a menace!’ The editorial of June 11th, 1965 reported “So, the powers that be have decided that the Magdalene Field will be sold. Another green patch turned into a concrete jungle of smoking factories and horrible look-alike houses. We resisted the abattoir. Let us resist this”.
The advertisements highlighted local business and entrepreneurs and featured items like
“Wanted Urgently; Duplicator, Apply Box 1, this office”.
“A stamp collector will give comics for stamps, apply to A. Keaveney”.
“P. Rabbitt will swop marbles for stamps”.
“J. Rabbitt will give a look at postcards of the world for 1d.”
Occasional illnesses in the parish merited a mention in this news sheet –
“Mr. G. Keaveney, a brother of our editor was laid up recently with an illness”.
“Mr. M. Whelan will be out of town from Tuesday the 5th”.
“Kim, P. Rabbitt’s dog has received surgical treatment for a stone lodged in his paw”.
Local news reports were also important –
FAIRGREEN. This year the Fairgreen will be used by Tofts and all the circuses.
ROAD. C.I.E. are building a road through the Fairgreen to allow their buses to pass that way.
RENOVATIONS, Powells are currently renovating their shop.
SPORT, Last Saturday week G. Keaveney and A. Tyrrell sports were held. After three races were run, it had to be abandoned due to rain.
FLAG DAY. The Lough Athalia Development Association held its annual flag day last Saturday. They got large sums of money from the public.
SPORT. L. Salmon (A Forster Street boy) was called into the Galway team.
COMIC INTERLUDE. Recently, St. Patrick’s School went on their annual educational tour. Mr. J. Rabbitt missed the train (it was a special) and had to go on the half past nine train. As this was leaving, Mr. Reid (John’s teacher) arrived and broke all records in an effort to catch it. He just got on in time.
The paper’s last issue was published on July 2nd, 1966. Our photograph is of the staff of the paper taken in Rabbitt’s back yard in 1965. They are, back row; Seamus Francis, Peter Rabbitt, Arthur Keaveney. Middle row; John Rabbitt, Michael Whelan, Gay Keaveney. In front are Brian Rabbitt, Noel Greally, Tom Tyrrell and Kim the dog. The illustration is of part of that final issue of July 2nd, 1966.
All of the above is an extract from a wonderful article by Peter Rabbitt in the latest issue of the St. Patrick’s Parish Magazine. Edited by William Henry, it is profusely illustrated and full of articles of local interest. But it is actually of more than local interest for anyone interested in Galway history. It is a steal at only 5 euro and can be bought in Hynes’ Shop in Forster Street or in the Post Office on Prospect Hill. It has been published annually for many years now and a complete run of it represents an important compendium of local history, folklore, place names, traditions and personalities: an important source of research for future historians. Recommended. Other parishes, please copy!
Finally, I want to thank all those who provided me with photographs, information, suggestions, funny stories, corrections and criticisms for this column throughout the year. Míle buíochas agus Athbhliain fé shéan is fé mhaise díbh uilig.