Old Galway
F.A.I. Junior Cup Finalists 1941 (14 01 16)
John O’Dowd was a Galway born printer who went to work in Kilkenny and became involved with the formation of a junior soccer league in the area. In 1931, his widowed sister, Mrs. Brigid Mulryan from Woodquay died and left four children. John gave up his Kilkenny job and returned to Galway to mind the kids. He worked for a while in the Connacht Tribune and later in the Galway Printing Company.
1989 West Board Junior Champions (07 01 16)
Barna had a hurling team in 1964 and handball was very popular in the area but anyone wanting to play football would have togged out for An Spidéal. Local games were played in Sean Lydon’s field along the shorefront halfway between the Church and Barna school. Kevin Curran and Nicholas O’Fegan were the founders of Barna GAA Club in 1965 and they managed to field minor and junior teams that year. Their junior team had the honour of playing the Club’s first competitive match on May 30th, 1965 against a Bohermore selection known as John F. Kennedy’s. Kennedy’s won by a point.
Pat the Boat, a story in an odd shape by Walter Macken (30 12 15)
As we come to the end of the Walter Macken centenary, we thought it appropriate to reprint the only known piece of poetry that he wrote. It was first printed in 1963 in ‘Criterion’, a UCG magazine that was edited by Kevin Brophy at the time. It is homage, ómós if you like, to an old fisherman and reflects Macken’s love of fishing, of the Corrib and of his understanding of people. The photograph of himself and his wife Peggy was taken in the garden of their home ‘Gort na Gainiv’ near Oughterard c.1960.
Christmas Picture Quiz (23 12 15)
This week's Old Galway Column is dedicated to the annual Crossword Quiz, set by Dick Byrne, and picture quiz posed by Tom Kenny. Appears here just for fun, as the competition is closed and long since won.
Look out for it next year!
George Nichols, Volunteer (17 12 15)
George Nicholls was a young solicitor who worked in G.C. Conroy’s office in Francis Street. In 1912, he set up a pipe band known as “Cumann Píobairí na Gaillimhe”, the only band with an Irish language name to play at O’Donovan Roass’s funeral to which they travelled in the company of Padraic Pearse. Our photograph was taken that year. Nicholls was the nerve centre for the IRB in Galway. He later became the town coroner.
Upper Abbeygate Street c.1978 (10 12 15)
An old Galwegian gave us this photograph of Upper Abbey Gate Street as seen from the corner of Market Street . In the late 1940’s the building we see down at the end on the corner of Mary Street was Tommy Hopkins, victuallers. Opposite that, at the time, at the end of Abbeygate St. was Mrs. Kemples house. Next door was Paul Heaney’s butcher shop ; Moloneys sweet shop ; Barretts, Mrs. Barrett had a cake making business ; The Shapiros lived next door and beside their house was an archway that led in to the back of the house ; Ellie Carter and her brother were next ; then Miko Cunningham’s sweet shop where he sold groceries as well.
The Egg and Butter Market in Woodquay (03 12 15)
This photograph was taken about the year 1900 and shows part of the market at the corner of Woodquay and Eyre Street. The derelict gable we see in the background was later developed as Creaven’s boot shop. It was subsequently occupied by O’Connor TV, then became a florists run by Brian O’Malley and today is Richard Hughes’ opticians.
The First Co-Ed Class in the Jes (26 11 15)
St. Ignatius College on Sea Road opened its doors for the first time in 1862. The Jesuits built a residence and a church at the same time and the move proved to be a success for them.
Attendances at Mass and ceremonies grew rapidly. The college however was more of a challenge.