Some Stories from Volume 50

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Orson Welles on his donkey 'Sheeog' and cart before setting off on his quest

Orson Welles in Galway

William Henry
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Local History

After receiving an inheritance following the death of his father, George Orson Welles, famous American screenwriter, director, actor and producer, who is now remembered for his innovative work in radio, theatre and film, visited Galway as a young man of 16. He landed in Galway without any real knowledge of the city, or indeed, the country. In fact, Welles was expecting to find people living in huts at the estuary. However, after a few days of exploring the town and meeting the people, his views change dramatically ...

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An artist's sketch of the County Infirmary on Prospect Hill sometime in the 19th century

A Short History of the County Infirmary in Galway

Tom Kenny
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Local History

The County Infirmary opened on Prospect Hill in June 1802 and was seen as an auspicious start to the new century as regards health care in Galway. It was the first of many badly needed and long overdue improvements in the care of the sick and the indigent during the next half-century. The building was three storeys high, 132 feet long and 28 feet in depth. The cut stone doorway in the centre gave access to a spacious hallway running the full depth of the building. A rear corridor ran the full length of each floor ...

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The Galway St Nicholas Christmas Market in 1966 (Photo from the Connacht Tribune)

Christmas Shopping and Traditions

Jacqueline O’Brien
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Traditions

This article explores Christmas 1899 and some traditions surrounding the festive season. The local newspapers were advertising Christmas and New Year cards and an array of gifts for both occasions, proving that commercialization was alive and well and is not confined to recent years. In 1899 shop displays were a source of awe and wonderment especially for the children with many families saving their pennies for some extra treats and home comforts. Your ‘Fancy Christmas Cake’ would set you back 2½d (pence) ...

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Bohermore National School, circa 1920 (Michael Lohan is on the left)

The Shooting of John ‘Jack’ Lohan

Brendan McGowan
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Local History

On the 24th of September 1922, anti-treaty IRA officer John ‘Jack’ Lohan (Seaghán Ó Lócháin, 1902– 1922) of Woodquay was shot and killed by the Free State Army near McHugh’s public house at Killeen, on the Tuam Road. The eldest son of Annie Lohan, principal of Claddagh national school, the 20-year-old engineering student was a veteran of the War of Independence, who had taken the anti-treaty side during the Civil War. John Joseph Lohan, known as Jack, was born on 19 March 1902 at Raven Terrace, on the west bank of the Eglinton Canal. He was the second oldest child and eldest son of ...

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St Augustine’s Well, sketched by the author of the article in 1984

St Augustine’s Well: An Important Part of our Parish History

Peadar O’Dowd
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Local History

Human life without water would not survive, so from time immemorial we humans have treasured it. So where water bubbled up through the earth in the form of springs or wells, they became a special place. In St Patrick’s Parish, St Augustine’s Well beside Lough Atalia takes pride of place. Situated halfway along Lough Atalia Road, only a few metres down to the waters’ edge of this special ‘salt lake’, the well has attracted numerous pilgrims, many seeking miraculous cures down through the years, if not centuries ...

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The last recorded parade of the Connaught Rangers in Ireland, 1922

The Devil’s Own – Connaught Rangers

William Henry
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Local History

On the 12th of June 1922, the Connaught Rangers were disbanded along with five other Southern Irish Regiments of the British Army. The Irish Free State had been formed and this saw the withdrawal of the British Army from Ireland. Many of the Rangers, officers and men, joined the new Irish National Army and they brought a lot of military experience to the force. Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Jourdain was the last Officer Commanding the Connaught Rangers. According to one source; he declined an offer from Michael Collins to become Commander-in-Chief of the ...

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