Count John McCormack United States Library of Congress Wikimedia Commons
Members of the Fox Film Company visited St. Nicholas’s School, Claddagh, Galway today and filmed scenes for a “talkie” of Irish life in which Count John McCormack plays the principal role. Count McCormack himself visited Galway last week and selected this school as the most suitable for the purpose of the film, in which he will be depicted as a poor Irish boy who leaves his native land when quite young, and achieves fame in America. The scenes filmed today are supposed to show Count McCormack’s School days. The children assembled in front of the school and sang an Irish Song, while there were also Irish step dances, and final picture was of a rush by the children leaving school, amongst them supposed to be the youthful McCormack.
THE CATTLE FAIR
Kinvara cattle fair was held on Wednesday last, March 4, and must certainly be allowed to be voted the most successful since the fair was first held some twenty years ago. The street was packed about eleven o’clock, and the cattle were something splendid to look at, every one of them being in the pink of condition and of the best description. Buyers were present from all parts of the country and to Mr.Culligan, of Briarfield, belongs the honour of securing the biggest lot of well finished animals. He purchased over eighty, and was accompanied by Mr John Clune. Several other buyers were present from Limerick, Maynooth, Dublin and other places throughout Ireland, and prices unheard of for years were paid for two and three-year old cattle. In fact people were astonished with the prices they obtained. Dealers from Gort, Kilbeacanty, and Scariff made large purchases for other fairs. Many hundreds exchanged hands in a few hours at fancy prices. Even local dealers offered strong competition. The success of the fair now seems to be well assured for all future time.
HORSE AND CALF FAIR
Connemara Pony Photo: Olaf Kleinwegen Wikimedia Commons
Kinvara horse and calf fair was held on Wednesday last in February and was better than people expected. A big supply of colts and working horses, which were selling so cheaply for the past twelve months changed hands at prices very much enhanced in value for the approaching spring. The demand for the show horse is coming back to take his usual place in the farm again, notwithstanding the attempt that was made to oust him on the farm and road. A big number of calves from six months to twelve months brought from Limerick and Cork, found a ready market, and good prices seemed to rule all round.
THE POTATO MARKETS
Kinvara markets are just now going strong, and are well supplied with potatoes of the best kind. A great variety of new seed, notably Kerr’s Pink, whose name as disease resisters is famous, are now raised in the district, and command big prices, followed up by Arran Victors a good second, and Aran Chiefs, and a variety of others too numerous to mention. The Department of Agriculture is purchasing largely in the district, and sending the seeds all over the country. Early potatoes are realizing up to 3s per stone, and there seems to be an abundant supply of all kinds.
THE PIG FAIR
Photo: Sander van der Wel Wikimedia Common
Kinvara pig fairs have taken a most decided upward tendency. The last one showed a most decided improvement in prices, the only fault being that people did not ask enough. Pigs paid over 70s per cwt and a hundred were disposed of at that price. A great number of buyers were present from Limerick, Cork and Waterford, and Galway is now sending its quota to swell the number and promises to continue it. The monthly fairs are a great boon now for years, and people are more than satisfied with results and competition. The fairs and markets’ committee should now hold monthly fairs and markets all the year round. Large bonham markets are now held as a result and prices have gone up as high as £2 10s each, and in some cases more.
The Burren and Beyond 