Old Galway
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
Father Michael Griffin
Ninety years ago this week, Galway was abuzz with the news that Fr Griffin, a junior curate for the parishes of Bushy Park and Barna, apparently responding to a sick call, went out into the howling gale in the company of three men who were said to have trench coats and rubber boots, and disappeared. The suspicion was that he had been decoyed from his house. It was significant that he did not take the Blessed Sacrament with him. His housekeeper heard very loud knocking as if with the butt ends of revolvers on the front door near midnight, as did one of the neighbours. Apparently Fr Griffin opened his
President Kennedy in Galway
Saturday, June 29th, 1963 may have been dull and overcast, but the city of Galway presented a colourful spectacle amid scenes of unprecedented enthusiasm. It was covered in Tricolours and the Stars and Stripes, in bunting and banners, in window boxes of flowers and newly painted buildings. There was a carnival atmosphere. Some 600 gardaí were up early, lining the streets ahead of the crowds that began to arrive from 7am. There were journalists here from all over the world to cover the event.As his elicopter circled the skies above the Sportsground, the President would have been aware of a massive Irish flag on the pitch below.
Clare Sheridan in Galway
She was born Clare Frewen in 1885, the only daughter among the children of the highly talented three Jerome sisters. She was a cousin of Winston Churchill. She married Wilfred Sheridan, a descendant of Richard Brinsley Sheridan. He was killed in World War 1. They had 3 children, Margaret, Elizabeth and Dick. Elizabeth died very young, and in her grief, Clare decided to make some kind of memorial to her. A talent for sculpture became evident and a career was launched.She produced various types of images, but it was her portrait heads that made her reputation. She became a successful society artist,