Local news – archives

Connacht Tribune 1st August, 1914 p.3 (abridged)

The United Irish League visit Aughnish
Ever since the evictions on the island, or rather, peninsula of Aughnish, the Galway branch of the United Irish League have taken a deep interest in the condition of the islanders, and it was with a view of learning the true state of affairs that the energetic Secretary, Mr. P. Ussher, accompanied by a representative of the “Tribune,” paid a visit to Aughnish island on Sunday.  A stout sailing boat was requisitioned and the trip across the Bay in ideal weather was much enjoyed. After a cruise of nearly two hours the party landed at New Quay, and then took a smaller boat across the narrow channel to the island.

Approaching the island from the Galway side, it presents the appearance of a great sand bank, with a fringe of green on the surface and undermined in places by the washings of the sea. This description is applicable to over half of the island, while the approach to the mainland is a shingly beach. On touching the shore, we were met by a number of the evicted tenants, who, by the way, have again taken possession of their little holdings. Only in one case, strictly speaking, has eviction been carried out.

The island is divided in two by a main road on either side of which the greater number of houses are built. To the left of the main road are to be seen the ruins of three stone cottages, the habitations, one of the tenants informed us, of the only tenants on the island hundreds of years before. Our informant also pointed out an old ruin on the right of the main road, which marked the residence of the original occupant of the island.

The island comprises about 200 acres, a large portion of which is waste land of a rocky and sandy nature, and is quite unfit for either tillage or grazing purposes. This, we were informed is all let and included in the different holdings at 37s 6d an acre! That the inhabitants are intelligent, thrifty and industrious people, was apparent at every step. The roads are neatly kept, the cottages present a neat and clean appearance, and many of them boast prettily laid out flower beds; and the children, fine bronze featured boys and girls, are comfortable clad.

To the visitor all these signs of comfort would be misleading. But a conversation with the tenants threw a very different light on the conditions under which they live. As mentioned above, the tenants have very poor grazing land and are, therefore, debarred from rearing stock, while the only produce they can get from the sandy soil are barley and potatoes. Some keep a milch cow and a yearling, but that is the limit of their stock, while others graze a number of lambs. A great hardship too, is the absence of meadow land, which would materially add to their comfort.

A walk along the main road bore out the statements made, for many of the fields were completely studded with large boulders, with weeds growing between them. Martin Keane’s is the first of the houses were evictions took place. This, as indeed all the houses, is very neatly kept, and reflects the greatest credit on the industry of its owner. Colman Keane’s house was the next visited and he informed us that it was an utter impossibility for him to pay the exorbitant price of 37s 6d an acre when he had no land suitable for grazing. It was only opposite the next house (Peter Shaughnessy’s) that we saw a number of sheep grazing. He commented on the fact that the nature of the land was of the poorest, having being grazed for the last 300 years. John Nilan’s house now serves as a police barrack, and we had the opportunity of seeing some of the men whiling away the evening reading a newspaper or a novel. By the way, the sergeant in charge kept us under close surveillance during our visit and diligently watched our every movement.

With a visit to Martin Shaughnessy’s cottage, our walk brought us to the Galway side of the island, and it was here that we were afforded the most striking illustration of the hardship that is imposed on some of these islanders. One man pointed his finger at a stretch of shingle, rock and sand and assured us that he had to pay £5 1s in rent for it. It seems incredible that such a state of affairs should exist, for to the most unexperienced eye, the tract of land indicated is absolutely worthless, except as a meeting place for sea birds.

It is manifest that it is the duty of the local district councillors (the island is in the Ballyvaughan district) to use their influence in trying to improve the conditions of the islanders. The matter is also one that Mr.Wm. Redmond, M.P., should give his immediate attention. The Rev. Father Sweeney, P.P., is, we understand, in negotiation with the landlord, and it is to be oped that his efforts will meet with success.

There is no water supply on the island, and to secure this for household purposes entails a journey of nearly four miles. When it is remembered there are nineteen families on the island, this drawback may be realised at its true significance. The nearest fair or market is ten miles away, and provisions have to be brought from New Quay, Kinvara, and sometimes Gort. The children have to be escorted by their parents to the mainland as there is no school or church there. When the water is rough the waves wash over the causeway which runs onto the mainland. There is a large field here for improvement and it only rests with those who are its elected guardians to make an effort to alleviate the grievances of the islanders and help by sound administration.

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Connacht Tribune 10th August, 1918 p2

Large numbers from various districts in Galway and Clare journeyed to Kinvara on Saturday and Sunday to participate in the annual pilgrimage to St Kieran’s Bed at Fraugh Kieran,(sic.) Duras, Kinvara.
St Kieran’s bed is charmingly situated close beside the silvery strand at Duras and commands a splendid view of Galway Bay as far as the Aran Island with the lofty Burrin mountains away in the background.
Hundreds of people remained all through Saturday night to do their Stations on Sunday and every mode of conveyance from the old Irish jaunting car to the more modern bicycle brought its quota on Sunday. “It is a pity” our correspondent writes, “that some local committee would not take charge of the arrangements every year and see that the religious side of the pilgrimage is strictly observed as its inception dates back centuries.”

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Connacht Tribune 8th September, 1972 p.17

Until such time as a professional archaeologist pronounces on the fine stone window and doorway discovered last week at The Quay, Kinvara, there is nothing to dispel the rumours and opinions circulating concerning their origin.
Their discovery was made by workmen demolishing the first of the old buildings at The Quay, the beginning of the 250,000 housing scheme planned for the town by a private company.
The three-foot window is obviously a church window and it stands fifteen feet from the ground, directly above a stone doorway which is nine feet high. On top of the window are inscribed the figures 1782.
The question is; Where did this window come from? Did it come from St Coman’s Church in the centre of the town at the rear of the main cluster of houses? Were the window and doorway part of a clergyman’s residence in the 18th Century? If this residence was once a Protestant clergyman’s home – and there is a local opinion that a Protestant Bishop lived there – were the ornate stone window and doorway incorporated into the original building? Or were they added to the building having been taken from a nearby church?
The intention of the demolition men at present to leave these monuments in situ. The discovery of the monuments opens up a vista into a forgotten portion of Kinvara heritage. There is a most interesting history attached to The Quay over which has been passed by Galway County Council for the erection of houses.
It would be a great pity if the once hallowed precincts were to disappear without proper recording under the new structures.
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Tuam Herald 30th May 1896 p.2(abridged)

On Friday last while Sergeant Feeney of the Kinvarra station was on patrol duty with a party of his men, he noticed an unusual volume of smoke in the direction of Kinvarra Quay, and at once went in that way. He found that a large boat belonging to a man named McDonagh from Connemara, and which had been moored at the quay was on fire. He and his men immediately jumped on board the boat and on entering the hold found two of the boatmen asleep. Having roused the men the entire party proceeded to extinguish the flames. Were it not for timely arrival of the police, the certainty is that the two men would have been burned to death.
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CONNACHT TRIBUNE 29TH MARCH 1924   p.5

A very interesting concert was held in the convent school, Kinvara, on the nights of the 16th and 17th of March. The concert was organised by the nuns in aid of the church, all the artistes being from the boarders of Seamount House and pupils of the convent national school The first part of the programme consisted of a varied and choice selection of vocal and instrumental music and dancing, interspersed with tableaux, Irish dialogues, and some very pretty pieces acted by the smaller children. The item “An Bhean Deirce,” was particularly well done; also the dancing. The opening chorus was very impressive, the stage being artistically decorated and lighted, and the children and young ladies dressed and grouped with exquisite taste. There were twelve violins in the band, and the performance showed very careful training, and was much appreciated.  In addition there was a solo on the ‘cello by Mr C O’Dea and one on violin by Miss M Flatley, who promises to be a perfact master of this instrument.
In the operetta, “The Wishing Cup,” with which the second part of the programme opened, Miss P. Murphy was a magnificent success as Gipsy Queen; Miss C Johnston acted the part of Elsa very dramatically; Miss Boland and Miss Hayes also did their parts exceedingly well, the latter being gifted with a very sweet singing voice. About thirty took part in this operetta, and the movement and the acting of the different performers was so perfect that there was not a dull moment in it from start to finish. They all, gipsies, fairies, maids and will-o-the-wisps, played their parts with marked success. This operetta was followed by a short amusing farce, which was very well staged and brought a most enjoyable entertainment to a close.
The large crowd present both nights appeared highly appreciative of the efforts of all the performers. This concert has been the most successful held in Kinvara for a long time, and reflects great credit on the nuns who were responsible for the organisation of it and the training of the children, which gave a real pleasure to all who were privileged to be present.

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Connacht Tribune 20th December, 1958 p 8

A KINVARA PRODUCTION
Kinvara Dramatic Society scored a notable success with “A Damsel From Dublin” which ran for three nights this week to packed houses at Johnston’s Hall, Kinvara.

Under the inspired direction of Mr Kieran Moylan, the play lacked nothing in production and comedy.
Kieran himself took the part of the “damsel” and few could have done it better. Paddy Joe Keane played the part of Michael Guinan, “the man of the house” to perfection; Toddy Burns (Byrne?) was an excellent “son of the house” in the role of Michael Junior. In the major male roles Sean Nolan and Brian Clery as two “neighbours” acquitted themselves very well. Joe Regan and Paddy Geraghty carried off their parts as solicitors in excellent fashion. Miss Sally Regan, the female lead, as “Belinda Duffy” and her “mother” played by Miss Bridie Quinn, were excellent. Mrs Margaret Connolly as “Mrs Cleary” was first class.
The evening opened with some catchy choruses by Mrssrs Kieran Moylan, Toddy Byrnes, P.J. Keane and Joe Regan, and the Misses B. Quinn, M. Connolly, F. Halvey, S. Regan and M. Muldoon.
Miss Mary Keane and Miss A. O’Shea rendered solos, and Miss Roseen Moyland danced a hornpipe.
Musical selections by Messrs Joe Leary, J.Wade, Bob Gardiner and Syd McPhillips added to the enjoyment.
Miss B. Quinn N.T. who compered the show thanked the audience and artistes.
The production will be staged at Clarenbridge Hall on Sunday next.

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Tuam Herald 28th September, 1839 p.2

To the Guardians of the unions of Loughrea, Gort, Ballinasloe and Tuam, especially – and to the inhabitants of the County Galway in general;

Gentlemen;
To lessen the pressure of the Poor Law Tax, and at the same time to develop the resources of the County of Galway, allow me to draw your attention to the following plan – which, if acted upon spiritedly and quickly will, I am convinced, reduce the claimants for charity to those objects, which all of us admit should be relieved at the public expense – viz. the aged, the infirm and sick poor.

It is hardly necessary to state that six hundred thousand pounds have been voted to Commissioners for the Improvement of the River Shannon – a river which bounds your County on the Eastern side. This work, it is expected, will be completed in the course of six years.   It was also universally agreed to in London that Government should construct three great trunk lines of Railway – one to the North, one to the South and one to the West – unless executed by private parties. I therefore take for granted that the Western trunk line will be produced to the Shannon.

One of the advantages of this plan was considered to be the encouragement it would offer to parties, whether private individuals or public bodies, to meet the main trunks with other lines of communication. With that view I have lately examined the southern coast of the Bay of Galway, and from the trade at present existing at Kinvarra and the New Quay, I have no hesitation in recommending the building there of two good piers, to protect the boats engaged in the fishery and seaweed trade, and as asylums for vessels of moderate burden, to encourage still further their spirited trade in corn, with a view of being a proper point of communication with the town of Galway by means of a steam tug – a plan which has been long agitated by the inhabitants of Galway.  Tram roads for horse power are perhaps more adapted to the present trade of this county than more expensive railways for locomotive power.

With the experience that I have had in constructing a short line of railroad on cut bog, the property of Lord Clonbrock in this county, I can almost confidently state that a double line of rails of dimensions adapted to the present trade, can be constructed for three thousand pounds per statute mile – upon which one horse can draw a load weighing ten tons upon the level. Of course it would be necessary to have relays of horses to assist at some of the elevations – which upon the route that I propose to take, would be but few.

In order to diffuse the benefit of this communication as much as possible through the County, I propose to embrace the interests of the towns of Tuam, Mount Bellew, Ballinasloe, Kilconnell, Loughrea, Kinvarra (a very rising place), New Quay, and I may add Gort, the line being so near to it and Portumna.  Thus I bring the Bay of Galway within an easy distance of the navigation of the Shannon at Portumna on the one hand, and with the canal at Ballinasloe (with the intended improvement of the River Suck) on the other – while to the town of Tuam I open out an easy communication with both Ballinasloe and Portumna, whilst it must be very apparent that Loughrea will be made the great focus of trade in this county.
The following are the proposed lines of Tram Road and length in statute miles;

Statute Miles – 22
Main Trunk from New Quay, by Kinvarra, to Loughrea, for Tuam, Ballinaslo and Portumna
Statute Miles – 13
Main Trunk from Portumna to Loughrea, for Kinvarra, Galway, Ballinasloe and Tuam.
Statute Miles – 14
Main Trunk from Loughrea to Kilconnel, for Ballinasloe and Tuam.
Statute Miles – 8
Main Trunk from Ballinasloe to Kilconnel for Loughrea and Tuam.

the expense of haulage, together with the small toll of one penny per ton per mile.

From the vast extent of red bog which these lines would pass through, and for the cultivation of which manure could thus be so easily brought, it is obvious that an extent of employment will be found for all the poor during the unemployed time. Indeed I might say that the poor of the county would find ample employment for their idle time.

It will be absolutely necessary to obtain an Act of Parliament to carry out these views; but as it is proposed to be vested in the Boards of Guardians, I entertain sanguine hopes that Government will attach a clause to the Poor Relief Bill, enabling our County to carry out this measure.

These views are hastily thrown out, for the consideration of the Gentlemen who are to meet at Loughrea on Thursday next, when the matter can be discussed. It is to be recollected that by this plan, one thousand five hundred men, in each of the four Unions, would be employed, at the rate of five shillings a week, for five months in each of the five years – as a sufficient deduction has been made for materials and all other expenses, except manual labour. It must also be recollected that for a tax of 2d in the pound for four years (that is until the tramway is in full operation), the Guardians of the four Unions will give full employment to all the able bodies poor; and that for a tax of 2d per acre, in like manner, for four years, the County will be relieved from the great expense of the present mail coach roads to Galway and Tuam, to an extent of at least nine hundred a year, for ever.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
T. Birmingham.

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Church v State
Anglo Celt 27th May, 1933 p.12

Speaking at Kinvara on Wednesday, after dealing with the Pastoral of 1931
Most Rev Dr O’Doherty said;
There is another evil that is creeping in slowly and the people must be on their guard against it. You may not know that some years ago a dozen young Communists from this country went to Moscow and Berling to be educated in the methods of Communist propaganda and the Godless methods of Soviet Russia and came back, some of them paid, some of them unpaid, to propagate these methods in Catholic Ireland. In time gone by we saw on our banners the prayer “God Save Ireland” and a grand prayer it was. These people came back and left God out of it and emblazoned on their banners, “Saor Eire. Save Ireland. They are working still, and making very little progress, but the people will have to be on their guard against them. These people think themselves clever, and they are clever in their own way, but I do not think the Irish people can be fooled by them. If these people come amongst you with their whisperings against Bishops and against priests, and against God and religion, give them the boot.
The I.R.A and Saor Eire are in alliance, and a number of men who are at the head of the I.R.A. are well known Communists.Some time ago I took up one of these papers in Dublin, and, glancing through it, I saw an article which said that it was the duty of every young man of military age to join the I.R.A. The exact opposition is the proper thing. It is the duty of every young man of military age, or any other age, to avoid these societies, and it they have joined them, it is their duty to cut adrift from them. It is your duty to the Bishops, and if you do not you are only sham Catholics.
I could say a lot of things about the history of secret societies and semi secret societies. Who fought in ’98? Was it the United Irishman? It was not. It was the men of Meath and Westmeath who fought. What about the men of ’48? They hatched a cabbage garden plot. What did Emmet do? He led a rabble through the streets of Dublin. The same applied to ’67. Who went out in 1916? Who faced the Black and Tans in this country? Was it any of the secret societies? It was not. It was the decent young men of the country. What did cut-throat Tone do? We hear a lot of talk about these people and they are held up as heroes – so called heroes. But secret societies or those belonging to them never were of any benefit to the country.

A REPUBLICAN REPLY
The Irish Independent publishes the following statement from the Executive Council of Dail Eireann (Government of the Republic of Ireland;
Most Rev. Dr O’Doherty, Bishop of Galway, is entitled to denounce secret societies, if such exist in his diocese, but he is not entitled to slander with impunity the national fathers, whose honoured names and unselfish sacrifices have inspired the people of Ireland for over 100 years.
It is a fact of history – an inspiring fact – that Theobald Wolfe Tone sacrificed himself for the Catholics of Ireland. The English could find no fault with him as a man or a soldier, so they killed him in secrecy of the dungeons and then tried to dishonour him in the eyes of the Catholic people of Ireland by broadcasting the lie that he had committed suicide.
Dr O’Doherty’s vulgar abuse of the dead patriots of 1803, 1848, 1867, 1916 and 1922 is in keeping with his attack on Tone.
The Executive Council of Dail Eireann consider it their duty to protest most vehemently against vulgar abuse of the patriot dead, who sacrificed themselves for the welfare of their persecuted compatriots and laid down their lives unselfishly that the Irish race might live.

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Freemans Journal 16th August, 1923 p 5

A Gross Exaggeration
Galway Wednesday
Amazement was expressed in Kinvara at the report published in yesterday’s “Irish Independent,” that revolver shots had been fired at the meeting on Sunday last, and that eight people had been wounded. The facts were given to me today by the Very Rev. M. Cannon Fahy, P.P., Kinvara, who presided at the meeting, and opened the proceedings by speaking in favour of the Treaty. He asked that those who had come to address them should get a fair hearing.
When Mr Geo. Nicholls, one of the Cumann na nGaedheal candidates, rose to address the meeting, he was cordially received by the greater mass of the people, but a group of about fifteen youths immediately began to interrupt and heckle the speaker.
Four young men who had arrived in Kinvara earlier in a motor car immediately approached the interrupters, and told them that they would not be allowed to upset the meeting.
Canon Fahy asked for a fair hearing for the speakers, and order was temporarily restored. Later however, the interruptions were renewed, and something in the nature of a free fight took place between the four men who had objected to the interrupters and the youths, who were putting a number of questions to Mr. Nicholls.
Ultimately the interrupters surrounded the four men, whereupon they produced revolvers. At this the crowd fled in panic and the meeting came to a conclusion. Canon Fahy assured me that not a single shot was fired, and the report of the affair was a gross and scandalous exaggeration.

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Tuam Herald 15th March, 1902 p4

Steps have at last been taken to do something for Kinvara Harbour and Pier. The work of improvement is both desirable and necessary – desirable for the interests of Galway and absolutely necessary for the very existence of Kinvara. Formerly large quantities of barley were brought over by boat from Kinvara to Galway Distillery, but now the whole comes by road, because except at spring tides the harbour is practically useless. Galway’s interests in this matter are very much bound up with those of Kinvara, and it is to be hoped that the movement begun in Kinvara will be warmly supported throughout the county.

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Connacht Tribune 5th December, 1925 p5

The Drink Traffic in Kinvara Village – worst in Ireland
There is more illegal trading going on in this village than in any other village in Ireland, said Supdt. English, Gort, at Kinvara District Court, when Mr –, a publican in Ballinderreen, a village between Kinvara and Clarenbridge, was prosecuted for a breach of the licensing code on Sunday. The district justice, after hearing the evidence, imposed a fine of 40s and endorsed the license.

The evidence was that on a recent Sunday the Guards who were on public house duty visited the place and found the front door and the bar opened, and a crowd of people in the yard. There was a man in the kitchen and Mr and Mrs — were in the shop. Mr — was behind the counter with a bottle of stout in one hand and a glass in the other, in the act of filling out the liquor. When the Guards approached the crowd ran away and it was his (superintendent’s) opinion that “scouts” were on the look out.

The Guards, he continued, had the greatest difficulty in supervising this illegal traffic in Sunday drinking and this man was convicted before in January last. Mr — told the Guards that the man in the kitchen was an invited guest and a friend of his. The Guards examined the premises and found traces of porter on the counter and fresh porter in glasses. At the time the Guards visited the place it was 12.25 p.m. – Guard McGuire and the local sergeant corroborated. When they went there they said the door was wide open, and when Mr — saw them entering he endeavoured to close up the bar by pulling down a latticed shutter between the shop and the bar, and when questioned he said the men were all bonafide travellers.
Magistrate (to defendant):
Have you anything to say?
Mr –;
The men were all bonafide.
Magistrate;
You could not have them there before one o’clock, even if they were. You should know the provisions of the new Act as a publican.
Defendant;
I have nothing to do with the yard attached.
Magistrate;
It is attached to and licensed as well as your premises and you are bound to see that nobody is there only those entitled to be there. You are bound to exercise strict supervision over the yard as well as the premises.
Mr –;
People come there and put their carts in my yard while they are at Mass.
Magistrate;
I know nothing about that. It might be a cloak to get drink illegally.
Superintendant;
There is more illegal trading going on here than in any village in Ireland and the Guards cannot exercise supervision owing to the “scouts”.
Magistrate;
I hope that this thing will be put down and that the Guards will keep a watchful eye on the place, and I will impose a fine of 40s and endorse the license and make a D.W.P. order against the man found on the premises.

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Tuam Herald 11th March, 1899 p4 (abridged)

A large and representative meeting of the electors of the parish of Kinvarra was held recently at Kinvarra for the selection of a candidate for the office of County Councillor of the Gort Division and of candidates for the District Councillorship of Kinvarra, Doorus, Killinny and Cahermore.

The Revd John Moloney, P.P. Presided and the attendance included the Revd Father Davoren, C.C. And Messrs J.W. Brady Murray, John Flatley, William Flatley, Fergus O’Dea, John O’Dea (Doorus), John Quinn, PLG; Miko Hynes, Ml O’ Donoghoe, Martin Corless, Patrick Curtin, John Quinn (Kinvarra), Thomas Greene, (Loughcurra), F. Green, P. Hynes PLG; M Brennan, Stephen Leech, Thomas Leech, John Morris, John Fahy, PLG; Thomas O’Halloran, John Finucane, Thomas Fahy, Patrick Hynes, (Corrishooa (sic.)); John Burke, Thomas Burke, Thos Kavanagh, J. O’Connor, Michael Howard, John Tierney, Wm. Whelan, A. Staunton, P. Kennedy, Ml. Kennedy, William Connor, John Davenport, T. Doogan, Ml Grady, E. Holland, F. Fox, Wm. Quinn, Michael Mooney, F. Lally, T. Lally and many others.

Among the ladies present were the Misses Hynes, Mrs Cullinan, Mrs Watson, Mrs Johnston, Mrs O’Halloran, the Misses Joyce and Mrs O’Donnell.

The Revd Charirman explained the provisions of the new Act and advised the electors to choose only honest, reliable and competent men for the several offices. Mr John Flatley proposed and Mr Fergus O’Dea seconded the selection of Mr Brady Murray as a suitable candidate for the office of Co. Councillor of the Division.

Mr Brady Murray addressed the meeting and after alluding to his servics as an active member of the Gort Board of Guardians and other public bodies, and his qualifications as a resident in the district etc, he explained that as a large ratepayer his chief object, if elected, would be to keep down the rates, that he would strive to obtain payment of the full amount of the Agricultural Grant to which the Ratepayers and Cesspayers of the Unioin and County were entitled and that he would use every effort to secure economy and efficiency in the expenditure of public money.

So far as consistent with these principles he would advocate the improvement of the roads and of markets and fairs, the improvement of the dwelling houses of the labouring classes and of the poor both in towns and country, the improvement of sanitary arrangements generally and the improvement of the Hospitals, Asylums and Dispensaries of the County.

He also advocated the extention of the Congested Districts Board for the development of the agricultural, fishing and industrial resources of the Union and Disrict. He stated he was in favour of the establishment of a Catholic University and its endowment out of Imperial Funds, and that he had been a consistent supporter of the movement for the Redress of Ireland’s Financial Grievances, laying special stress on the Relief of Local Taxation by the Government taking over the Asylums, Hospitals and the Dispensary system.

The meeting unanimously adopted Mr Brady Murray as their Candidate for the County Council and also recommended the following candidates for the District Councillorship of the several Divisions.
Kinvarra;
Mr Michael O’Donohue
Mr Miko Hynes
Mr Patrick Curtin
Mr John Fahy
Doorus
Mr John O’Dea
Mr John Quinn
Mr John Halvey
Mr William Connor
Killinny;
Mr John Burke
Mr Michael Mitchell
Cahermore
Mr Thomas Clayton
Mr Ml. Grady

On the motion of Mr J Quinn, seconded by Mr Brady Murray a cordial vote of thanks was passed to the Revd Chairman together with an expression of the deep regret of the meeting at his approaching departure from the Parish which has been in his charge for the last thirty years, coupled with their best wishes for his welfare and prosperity in his new Parish of Ennistymon.

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Houses of the Oireachtas – Dáil Éireann Debate (excerpt) Vol. 388 No. 6

National Development Plan 1989-1993: Motion (Resumed) – Thursday 13th April, 1989

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn):

“Priority in the provision of sanitary services will, as recommended in the report of the working group, be given to projects that meet the established needs of industrial and other forms of development, to projects which will facilitate and encourage development and to projects which are particularly necessary to remedy deficiencies in existing systems. The Government fully accept that the provision of adequate water and sewerage services is a vital prerequisite for industrial and tourism development, for rural development and for the enhancement of the environmental quality of the west region. Expenditure in the sub-region on sanitary services during the period of the plan will amount therefore to some £60 million. In the case of County Galway, I have already approved a new water supply scheme at Kinvara to start this year.”

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FREEMAN’S JOURNAL 17TH AUGUST, 1878 P5

Kinvarra is the centre of a large and populous district, and hitherto was not blessed with the presence of convent schools. Some few years since, the late Mr Murray, J.P. of Northampton House, Kinvarra, left the munificent sum of £4,000 for the purpose of building a chapel, convent, and schools, and captain Blake Forster J.P. of Galway, gave free of rent forever, the commanding site on which the Convent rests.

The buildings are from the designs of Messrs M and S Hennessy, architects, of Cork and Limerick and reflect great credit on their taste and judgment. The builder was Mr Wm Kilroy, of Gort, who performed his contract in an excellent manner.

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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIV 17th December, 1886 p19
IRISH NEWS.

At the Kinvarra Petty Sessions on September 22, before Colonel Mallon, R.M. and Major Blake, 37 men were charged with unlawful assembling and breaking the fences on the lands of Cahergilssane, the property of Arthur Persse. The first Crown witness, a man named Clayton, refused to give evidence, and was committed for eight days. Three other witnesses were examined, who gave evidence as to the assembly of a crowd, but could only identify one of the defendants as forming part of it. On cross-examination by Mr McDonagh, it was elicited that there was a hurling match on a neighboring field, not the property of Mr Persse, and that the catle (sic.) were frightened by the noise and ran away, breaking through the fence. Mr McDonagh asked for a dismiss on the merits, to which the bench agreed, and also to the liberation of Clayton, who refused to give evidence, seeing the failure of the Crown case.

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Kinvara’s Invisible Man
NEW ZEALAND TABLET, VOL. 27 MAY 1909
IRISH NEWS
Mr William Moore, (M.P.) is a gentleman who takes a genuine delight in endeavoring to make the inhabitants of Great Britain believe that the wickedness of the people of Ireland, the country where he represents a constituency, is past imagining. No matter how pleasant or how peaceable the Irish Catholic may look, he is always, in Mr Moore’s opinion, brewing mischief. Mr Moore’s parliamentary life, therefore, consists of a daily array of questions as to what measures the Government have taken to intend to take in order to prevent this or that crime, or to punish this or that criminal.

On Thursday, March 11, he enquired in tragic accents what the Government meant to do with Mr James Hogan, J.P., of Kinvara. Mr Hogan, he stated, was a plague in the community. He was a boycotter and oppressor, and had been inflicting suffering on innocent people. The law-breaker had been brought before the magistrates for his misdeeds, but being of his religious and political belief, they acquitted him. The Resident Magistrate had unavailingly protested against the scandal, and the County Inspector had urged the institution of further proceedings. The Attorney-General for Ireland had, however, refused to act on the suggestions and the audacious Mr Hogan, of Kinvara, was still at liberty.

Mr Redmond Barry, amidst the laughter of the House, informed the hon. member that Mr James Hogan, J.P., was a myth – that no such person exists at Kinvara, a Galway village, by the way, made famous through one of Mr Frank Fahy’s songs.

The moral is very plain – that anti-Irish members are perfectly reckless as to the grounds upon which they prefer charges against Irish Catholics and Nationalists.

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Freeman’s Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 – 1932), Saturday 7 April 1888, page 7
THE BRAVE IRISH GIRLS.
If the teat of Mr. Balfour’s success is the extent to which Coercion has cowed the Irish people, then (says the Dublin Freeman, Feb. 25), we have a fine case in point for him. Mr Balfour, as the world knows, has made .very little distinction between the sexes in striking down public liberty in this country. Not only young girls, have been brought within the purview of his police law. But as with the men, so it is with the girls. They are not only not frightened or coerced, but it appears to be the particular joy of their rebellious young hearts that they did something to deserve Mr, Balfour’s
attention. Miss Bridget Kilkelly, of Crushoa, County Galway, v/an one of Mr Balfour’a earliest
victims under the Coercion Act. We have received a letter from this criminal, and we do think our Roaders will agree with us that it is too good to be paraphrased or curtailed. The
letter is as follows : —

Crushoa, Kinvara, County Galway,
February, 16th, 1883.
Dear Mr Editor,
I was very much surprised
at not seeing my name among all my fellow prisoners under ‘ Bloody Balfour’s’ Crimes Act.
I enclose you my summons, and hope you will give my name at your earliest convenience, as I suffered
one month’s imprisonment in Galway Jail, although 1 offered bail, and my parish priest was willing to go security for me. I would not trouble you only I am about going out to Australia to my brothers, and I wish that they would know through the medium of your widely circulated paper that I was as willing to fight for poor old Ireland as any other girl in it.
Yours Very
truly,
Bridget Kilkelly.

The last sentence of our correspondent’s letter is one of the best and bravest things that have
been said since Mr Balfour began his Coercion crusade.
National Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115460832

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EDUCATION – HARD TO GET
HOUSE OF LORDS JOURNAL VOLUME 63 – 25TH FEBRUARY, 1831
1 Gul. IV 25th February p 259
Education – (Ireland) Petitions for regulating Grants for; (Kinvara) Kilbaconty
Upon reading the Petition of the iNhabitants of the Parish of Kinvara and County of Galway, whose Names are thereunto subscribed;
And also, Upon reading the Petition of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Kilbaconty, County of Galway, whose Names are thereunto subscribed; severally praying, “That their Lordships will be pleased to institute such Change in the Administration of the Parliamentary Grants for the Education of the Poor of Ireland, as will make the System of Public Education in Ireland conformable to the Wants and Wishes of the People.

It is Ordered, That the said Petitions do lie on the Table.

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From The Catholic Journal October 1903

A great demonstration was held at Kinvara, May 26, in furtherance of the objects of the United Irish league. The chair was taken by the Rev. Father T. Burke. Resolutions were proposed by Mr T. Corless and seconded by Mr D. Burke, approving of the United Irish League, and forming a branch demanding the abolition of landlordism and the extension to Ireland of University eduation for Catholics such as is enjoyed by Protestants: advocating the extension throughout Ireland of the law for providing agricultural labors (sic.) with cottages andone acre allotments: calling upon the representatives of the late Henry W. Sharpe, who derive a large income from the town as well as from the tolls and customs, to put the harbor, which is falling into ruin, into repair or dispose of their interest in it to the County Council.

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From the New York NY Herald, Friday, April 30, 1886 TRIPLE SHEET
http://www.fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html
DISTRESS IN GALWAY
_____________________
A PITEOUS APPEAL IN AID OF THE RACK-RENTED TENANTRY
The dire distress and appalling destitution in the small town of Kinvara are vividly described by Lady Agnes Bell in the letter we publish below. That lady takes up the cause of the indigent and needy and gives a few of the most prominent cases of oppression and tyranny exercised on the unfortunate people by the landlords, and concludes her letter by a pathetic appeal for help, be it ever so modest in amount. The Rev. P. McDonagh, parish priest writing, says:- “Lady Agnes has already expended large sums of money in food and clothing and is still doing all in her power for the distressed of the country.”
The following is Lady Agnes Bell’s letter:-
Maryville House, Kinvara, County Galway, Ireland, April 15,1886
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
Knowing well the sympathy and widespread feelings of charity that exist in New York for the poor and oppressed Irish tenantry, I now venture to make an earnest appeal to the readers of your estimable journal for the relief of some of the poorest poor of Kinvara.
The distress in this small town is appalling to a degree impossible to describe. Words are inadequate to properly express the sufferings endured by the rack-rented families, evictions taking place every day, and women and children being turned wholesale into the streets, without the least hope of ever being able to find shelter and food.
TYRANNIC EVICTIONS
One man, Thomas Finney, living near me, I saw the other day pay his rent at the rate of ₤1 an acre for land only worth 2s.6d..while he had only straw to lie upon and indian meal as food. One Patrick Donohoe was about to be turned out of his holding with a sick wife and two little girls in a state of starvation, only that I took his cabin and land myself and put him in again.. I could mention hundreds of such cases, but will not trespass upon your valuable space. Only a few weeks ago a family were evicted, and the landlord would not allow any of his tenants to give them shelter for the night. The woman’s own brother dare not take her in, although she was enceinte. The consequence was, in the morning her corpse was found in the snow with a new born babe dead in her arms.

SEND A QUARTER
In conclusion I would only beg and pray each and every one of your readers to send a trifle say twenty-five cents-to the following gentlemen, or to myself, to be fairly distributed amonng the distressed long suffering and patient inhabitants of Kinvara.
Yours, obediently. AGNES BELL.
Subscriptions will be gratefully received by the Rev. P.McDonagh, parish priest, Clarenbridge county Galway and the Reav. P. Newell parish priest, Kinvara county Galway.
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Freeman’s Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 – 1932) Saturday 27 July 1895 p 6
A PATRIOT POET.
While all of the prominent members of the present Irish literary movement are rendering magnificent service to their native country in establishing a school of literature, the high standards of which must receive universal recognition in the near future, few of them have written anything of a stirring, patriotic character capable of firing the souls of men or kindling the hearts of the people as they were fixed by the songs of Thomas Davis and the other giants of ’48. Of the many lyrics written by Dr. Douglas Hyde, Dr. Todhunter, Lionel Johnson and other clever men, their literary merit cannot be denied, but they are not in touch with the people.
Francis A. Fahey is a writer who seems to have struck the popular vein in his productions. Like Mr. GraVes, he has written a number of songs to familiar airs, and as they are all of the ‘ catching’ ‘ order they sink deep in the fancy of the masses. In reading his songs one his struck with the peculiar domination of the natural spirit in them. It is interwoven with every other sentiment of the poem and seems inseparable from his verse. Even in his songs of affection, begun in a tender strain, we hear the tread of the soldier and the jingle of his sabre. It is particulary noticeable in ‘ AN OULD IRISH HILL IN THE MORNING.’

I’m weary and sick of the sights of the town,
Though.haughty its mansions and high its renown,
Oh, if some good fairy would but set me down
On an old Irish hill in the morning !

My soul ever sighs for a sight of the sea,
By dear old Kinvara, or down by Kilkee,
Or where Moher cliffs in their majesty free
Fling back ocean billows in scorning.

An old Irish hill where the crag is so steep.
The air is so sweet and the heather so deep
Oh ! gladly I’d labour and soundly I’d sleep
On an old Irish hill in the morning.
* * ‘ * * ‘ *
But if the day came for the bold mountaineer
To strike for the hearts and the homes we hold dear,
And ringing on high on the startled air clear,
The blast on the bugles gave warning

Oh ! where could our boys make a sturdier stand,
To strike a stout blow for the cause of our land,
Than massed in their might on the sides grese and grand
Of an old Irish hill in the morning!

From an old Irish hill— oh ! like eagles we’d sweep,
And chase the false foe through the valley like sheep
Oh. a harvest of hope for our Erin we’d reap;
On an old Irish hill in the morning!

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The Gael November 1901 – ref from the Tuam HeraldPublished 150 Nassau Street, New York
KINVARA POLICE MUST LEARN IRISH
We understand that as a result of the police prosecution of Bartley Hynes, of Kinvara, Co. Galway for putting his name in Irish on his card, Mr Edward Martyn has ordered his name to be put in Irish on all his carts, and so has Lady Gregory. It is said that the carts in question will be sent at an early date to Kinvara. We shall see if the English speaking police of that quarter take any steps to prosecute Lady Gregory and Mr Edward Martyn for what they summoned Bartley Hynes. The end of the matter is that Irish police must learn Irish and if they do they will understand that Irish characters are ‘legible’

More on Bartley Hynes, Kinvara from the Kentucky Irish American., October 5^th, 1901

Bartley Hynes, an Irish man living at Galway, Ireland was sued recently for having his name on the side of his cart in Irish characters instead of English letters.  Five Magistrates deliberated over the enormity of the crime and finally fined him one penny and costs, with the alternative of going to jail for seven days.  Bartley refused to pay the fine and the Magistrates have not yet sent him to prison.  The Gael, the ably edited New York magazine devoted to the cultivation of the Irish language, sent the following cable message to Hynes last Saturday: “If you haven’t paid that penny fine, don’t pay it; go to jail.  Gael will pay your wages while locked up.”

BARTLEY’S CART, THE STORY

Freemans Journal (Sydney NSW: 1850 – 1932) Saturday 2 November, 1901
THE POLICE AND THE IRISH TONGUE. GAELIC NAME ON A CART. AN INTERESTING CASE. At the Kinvara Petty Sessions on Sept. 4 before Captain Perry, R.M. ; Mr. Brady, R.M. (Kiinis) ; Mr. Anthony Lynch, Mr. J. W. Brady Murray, and Mr. James French, Co.C. (Chair man of the Galway District Council), the case of District-Inspector Hussey, R.I.C., against Mr. Bartiey Hynes, Killina, Kinvara, came on for hearing on a second summons, two magistrates present on the previous court day (Captain Perry and Mr. J. W. Brady Murray) not coming to any decision.
District-Inspector1 Hussey, opening the case for the prosecution; 
The defendant is charged under Acts 14 and 15 Vic., chap. 92, sec. 12, sub-section 1, in which it is stated that — ‘Every owner of a cart or such other vehicle), etc., is required to have his name and residence printed in ‘legible characters or letters’ on the off side of such cart, etc.’ The Act is for the protection of the public, so that if any person be injured in connection with such a cart, the police may have a ready means of identifying the owner. In this case the defendant has his name and address printed in Irish. There is nothing illegal in this. Irish is a beautiful language, about which I happen to’ know a little, but it is incumbent on the defendant to have his name and residence put up in English, and this he has refused to do. The carrying out of the Act is entrusted to the police. It is not a qualification of theirs to understand the Irish language, and probably 99 per cent, of them do not. At the same time I have no’ desire to press the case or ask for any excessive punishment or fine.
Mr. French, J.P: — Does the Act say that the name should be in English?
Mr. Hussey:
No. The Act does not state that the name should be in the English language, but that is the language of the statute.
Constable Faughnan, examined by Mr.Hussey, deposed:
On the 31st July I found this cart on the public street, Kinvara, in charge of the defendant’s son, John Hynes. I asked him why the owner’s name was not on it. He told me it was on it in Irish, as they had a taste for. it. I saw the name printed in Irish, and he said they would keep it on.
Mr. J. W. Brady Murray:
Can you read or speak Irish?
Constable:
No, I cannot read or speak it.
Bartley Hynes (defendant),in reply to their worships;
I have my name and address printed on the cart in Irish. It is on this three years, and no policeman ever summoned me before for it.
Mr. French, J.P:
Show me that summons. You say that you have your name on in Irish for three years, and you were not summoned?
District-Inspector Hussey:
It did not come before the notice of the police. I have no objection to Irish, but it should be on in English also. Knowing the peculiarities of this case, I gave him an ‘opportunity of putting it on in English, and I would withdraw the summons.
Mr. French:h
Are you aware that a man has been prosecuted for a like offence in Cork and the case was dismissed ; and I see such names printed on carts almost every day, and how is it they are not prosecuted?
Mr. Hussey:
I cannot answer for my brothers in the force, or other decisions. I only bring the -case before you as I found it, and it is for you. to decide.
Mr. Brady Murray:
Is this case a non-compliance with ,the Act of Parliament? The Act-does not state the language. The words of the Act are : —
“That the name and address must be printed in legible characters.” In my opinion there is no compulsion, and a man might use any letters, provided they wore legible and readable characters. Therefore I am for dismissing the case.
Mr. French:
We should have a copy of the name and address printed in Irish.
Captain Perry:
The name and address printed in Irish is not capable of being under stood in. the official language of the country. This is only hampering the law that is for the people’s protection, and I am for inflicting a small fine.
Mr. French:
How is it that the present Government are paying for the teaching of Irish in the schools, and yet you bring up this case? I was in the police for nine years (in Queensland), I can speak the Irish language, and I say it is wrong to bring this case on a second time. It was tried the last day and should be let drop. It should not be re-opened and the defendant put to expense, and I object to it, and I will have this summons placed on the table of the House ‘of Commons.
Mr. Brady, R.M:
You came here as a partisan. I’m for a fine of sixpence.
Mr. French:
I did not come here as a partisan. I came here to see justice done, and I strongly object to any fine. I call for a dismiss.
Mr. A. Lynch was at first understood to be in favour of a dismiss, but afterwards he said he thought the name should be in English as well as in Irish.
Captain Perry:
Certainly I will inflict a small fine of one penny or seven days.
Mr. Brady Murray:
You can take me as dissenting from that. I am for a dismiss.
Mr. French:
I say it is unfair, and I object to any fine.
Captain Perry:
You have been acting as a partisan from beginning to end of this case.
Mr. French:
I will have it brought before Parliament, and further, I advise every man in this court to have his name printed in Irish, and the sooner the police learn it also the better.

Captain Perry, R.M., Mr. Brady, R.M., and Mr. A. Lynch, J.P., having agreed, the defendant was fined ‘one penny and costs Mr. J W. Brady Murray, J.P., and Mr. J. French, J.P., dissenting.

The case excited much interest in Kinvara. It was complained that the Gaelic League gave no assistance, and that the Chairman of the District Council did not attend like Mr French.

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HARD TIMES IN KINVARA

The North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2476, Saturday, 1st May 1880, Page 2 (New Zealand)

Mr John Molony, parish priest, Kinvarra, County Galway, Ireland, has a letter in this week’s Saturday Advertiser, addressed to the editor. Mr Molony’s letter is dated February 15, and ‘he states that in his parish there are between four and five hundred families in dire want and requiring immediate relief. He makes an appeal to the charitable people of New Zealand, and in the “sacred names of humanity and religion he begs of those who posess much of the goods of the world to give out of their abundance a little to relief to his poor and suffering people.” Mr Molony adds that any remittances will be thankfully acknowledged by himself, or by William Flatley or Thomas F. Cooless, the first the secretary, the latter the treasurer of the Kinvarra relief committee.

SUPPORT AND THANKS – DIASPORA RESPOND

FROM Freeman’s Journal Saturday 1 January 1881 (Sydney NSW 1850-1932)
LETTER TO THE EDITOR;

Dear Sir,
As you did me the great kindness to insert in your influential paper a short appeal I made some time ago to the Kinvara people in Sydney on behalf of the poor of their native parish, I am encouraged to hope you will extend to me a similar favour now while I discharge the pleasing duty of thanking those who charitably responded to that appeal. I am just in receipt of P.O. orders to the amount of £30 12s from the following contributors :—

Denis Linnane, £3 ; Patrick Winkle, £2 ; Patrick Clancy, £2 ; Thomas Winkle, £2 ; Bridget Fahy, £1 Mary Fahy, £1 ; Mary O’Dea, £1 ; William Neilan, £1 ; Patrick Corless, £1 ; Captain Henry Walbrook, £1 ; Edward Connell, £1 ; James O’Hare, £1 ; Francis Marlborough, £1 ; Thomas Commins, £1; Michael Flemming, 10s 6d ; Michael Connolly, 10s ; John Malony, 10s ; Thomas Limm-e, 10s ; Annie M’Neil, 10s ; Patrick Brown, 10s ; John Brown 10s ; A Friend, 10s; T. Buckley, 5s ; Alfred Keizer, 15s ; Bridget Moroney, 5s ; E. Robinson, 5s ; Alfred Moule, 5s ; Win, Moloney, 2s ? 6d ; Thomas Morisey, 2s 6d ; Miss Ryan, 2s 6d ; E. W. Dawson, 2s Gd ; A Friend, 2s 6d ; Matthew Lynch, 2b 6d ; Mrs. Moroney, 2s 6d ; A Friend, 5s ; Mrs Downey, 2s ; A .Friend, 2b ; A Friend, 2s per Messrs.’ Butler and M’Girr, Freeman’s Journal, from John Cain of Mummcll, £5.

On the part of the poor of my parish, and also on my own behalf, I beg to offer our most sincere and grateful thanks to each and all of our benefactors,: for their many generous contributions ; though the crisis which called forth this appeal is happily overhand will, it is to be hoped, never occur again, .still ‘ ‘there are many persons in the parish to whom this very substantial relief will be a great God-send, and the contributors may be satisfied that their donations will be judiciously and impartially distributed among the most deserving poor.
Thanking you very much for your former kindness, I have the honour to be your humble and grateful servant,
J. MOLONEY,
P.P. Kinvara
Ireland,
October 14th, 1880.

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EVICTIONS

Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 25, 14 October 1887, Page 9
At the meeting of the Gort Guardians on July 9th, notices of eviction were handed in from Arthur Alexander against Bartley Nee, Michael Fuery, and John Connors, all of Cahermore, parish of Kinvarra.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 17, 2 September 1898, Page 9
The Irish Distress Fund.
At a recent meeting of the general committee of the Distress Fund held at Dublin, a statement of accounts submitted to the meeting showed that £9494 9s 5d had been lodged in the bank to the credit of the fund, that of this, £9315 7s 5d had been already expended, leaving a balance of £179 2s available for distribution as!the meeting. Out of this balance the following grants were made Kinvarra, £10 Kilfian, £25 Roundstone, £25 Maam, £20 Castletown-Berehaven, £20 Adrigole, £25. Owing to the great falling off in subscriptions, and to engagements entered into with several distressed districts, the committee had to refuse deserving applications. Speaking of the distress generally, Archbishop M’Evilly writes as follows There is one, and only one, means of preventing the everlasting recurrence of those sad famines. It is this as any attempt of establishing manufacturing would be run down by English capitalists, who would undersell us, would surely fail, there is one manufacture which would succeed that is the cultivation of the land. Let the lands now producing but little in the hands of the grabbers be parcelled out among the people, by peaceful and legitimate means through wholesome legislation anything like violent means would be sure to be crushed, as it should let the Government purchase the lands of the needy crew of landlords who have ruined our country—
and I would not grudge, in the interest of society, that a fine liberal price would be given to even undeserving landlords let the Government even demand a fair rent or tax for the lands given over to the people, who would willingly pay it. Then in every district peace and plenty would prevail, and each man planted with his industrious family at the head of 30 or 40 acres would become a yeoman, and thus the heavy expense of maintaining a military police would be spared the country.

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 A FASHIONABLE INVENTION

NOTABLE PEOPLE from Bruce Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 70, 10 September 1901, Page 7 (New Zealand)

The Hon. Mrs. Pery, who has patented her ingenious invention of a safe” purse, lives at Kinvarra, Co. Galway. It is a favourite reproach against women that they have no inventive faculties, or at least are unable to turn the same to practical account but Mrs. Pery has’ emphatically proved that a woman can not only originate a novelty, but turn it to practical account. Her invention took the fancy of the feminine public directly it made its appearance in the shops, and takea rank among the most successful novelties of the season.

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SEAMOUNT IN THE NEWS 1899

Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 42, 19 October 1899, Page 9

A most successful bazaar in aid of the Convent of Kinvarra, near Ennis, was held about the end of August.  The affair concluded with athletic sports in the convent grounds.  A somewhat novel and certainly most interesting incident in the ‘athletic’ contests was ‘the Sunlight soap-washing Competition’, for handsome prizes presented by Messrs. Lever Brothers.  No other item on the programme produced so much excitement and amusement.  There were eight young lady competitors.  Miss Doolin won the first prize, and Miss Hehir the second.  Charity and entertainment were never more happily associated with what should prove a very fetching advertisement.

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From the Albury Banner and Wodonga Express (NSW: 1896-1939) Friday 25^th, September, 1908

page 36.

A sheep belonging to a small farmer near Kinvarra, Co. Galway, has given birth to two lambs, each of which has six feet, fully developed.

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The Catholic Press (NSW: 1895-1942) Thursday 12^th May, 1932 Page 9.

An Irish Adventure.

It is easy to understand how Murphys or O’Briens might get mixed up in Ireland, but the Fahys ought to be reasonably immune. One of their number is now Speaker of the Dail. Another member of the clan tells some of his troubles to a Dublin paper.

One day in 1914, he said, I went up to Dublin from Naas, to hear a lecture, de livered to the Irish Volunteers by Eoin McNeill. At the door, however, was a ge tleman attired in the uniform of a Volunteer officer, with a remarkable black moustache. When he asked me for my ticket I informed him I was in possession of none, but that I assumed that being secretary of the Naas Volunteers I might be admitted.
‘What is your name?’ queried the officer.
‘Francis Fahy,’ I replied.
‘Oh,’ said the officer in undisguised astonishment, ‘that is my name!’ We both stood facing each other in blank amazement. The officer, seeing 1 was positive as to my name, asked if there was anyone who knew me. I replied ‘Liam and Barney Mellowes. ‘ With that he went to inquire of Liam Mellowes, who was inside, and returned with the intimation that it was alright, and I could step in. I afterwards ascertained that the officer was Capt. Frank Fahy, now Ceann Comhairle of Dail Eireann.

Another Fahy Double.

Another embarrassing situation owing to the similarity of names occurred to Francis Fahy, of Naas, in the following year, 1915. He was then resident in Dublin, and had an account in a bank in the city On one of his visits to withdraw some money the cashier inquired why he did not always sign his name the same way. Ho replied that he invariably signed it in the same manner, and expressed his astonishment at the query. ‘The cashier,’ he says, ‘frustrated that I did not always sign the same, and explained that I sometimes signed ‘Francis Fahy’ and at other time ‘Frank Fahy,’ I assured him that I never signed as ‘Frank,’ but regularly as ‘Francis.”

He then looked at the books, and asked Fahy if he was treasurer of the Irish Volunteers at 6 Harcourt-street, Dublin. He replied in the negative. The clerk explained that he would have to transfer all the lodgments which were credited to Francis Fahy’s account to a new account, and informed him that some hundreds of pounds had been entered to his credit. It seems to be a desirable thing that bank officials and others should know that that there are more Frank Fahys than one. The original Frank Fahy of our day, of course, is the Kinvara Poet, the author of the ‘Ould Plaid Shawl,’ &c, and president of London Gaelic League. There is hardly a townland in Galway County now that has not its own Frank Fahy.

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From The Catholic Press (NSW: 1885-1942) Thursday 22^nd, July, 1926 Page 3

Excerpt from review of Lady Gregory’s Note-book (The Kiltartan History Book:London Fisher Unwin)

The greatest wonder I ever saw was one time near Kinvara at a funeral.  There came a car along the road and a lady on it having a plaid cloak, as was the fashion, and a big hat, and she kept her head down and never looked at the funeral at all. I wondered at her when I saw that, and I said to my brother it was a strange thing a lady to be coming past a funeral and not to look on at it at all.  And who was on the car but O’Gorman Mahon, escaping from the Government, and dressed up as a lady!  He drove to Father Arthur’s house in Kinvara and there was a boat waiting, and a cousin of my own in it, to bring him out to a ship and so he made his escape.

Lady Gregory claims the right to praise “The Kiltartan History Book,” because as she says, “there is not in it one word of my own.” But she has contrived all the same to impart a share of her sly humour into almost every page.

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