Search Results for 'the Connacht Tribune'

As next Monday is the anniversary of Pádraic Ó Conaire’s death we thought to relate some stories about him.

Galway has always been a city of stories—tales whispered through stone walls, sung across the bay, and told beside fire and pub counter. But few told them as lovingly and thoroughly as Peadar O’Dowd. Historian, teacher, author, environmentalist, tour guide, columnist, and tireless ambassador for Galway’s past, Peadar passed away on January 4, 2024, leaving behind a city immeasurably richer for his life’s work and immeasurably poorer in his absence.

The changing face of the media scene in Galway will accelerate over the next few weeks as the CCPC (Competition and Consumer Protection Commission) complete deliberations on the separate acquisitions of Galway Bay FM and the Connacht Tribune newspaper.

In the heart of Galway city, nestled among its winding streets and creative soul, lies one of the most inspiring initiatives to emerge from the West of Ireland in over a decade—the PorterShed. I have always had a grá for this place, as to step inside it fills you with hope and encouragement.

On this day, February 13, 1922, the IRA took over Renmore Barracks from the British. When the Anglo-Irish Treaty was ratified on January 7, 1922, it was only a matter of time before the British Army would leave the Barracks. There was some suggestion initially that the Regional Hospital might transfer to the barracks. On February 2, the last Black and Tans had left Galway by train. The British did not want to surrender the Barracks to the Volunteers, so an arrangement was made where they would leave at a certain time, and the formal handover would take place a few hours later.

On October 28 1961, the following letter appeared in the Connacht Tribune --- “Sir, Educational facilities for mentally handicapped children are entirely inadequate in this country and except for the excellent work of the religious orders, the problem would be of much greater magnitude……………. Would anybody be interested in doing something for mentally handicapped children in Galway? Signed PARENT OF A MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILD”

The great stories have always found their way down to those who appreciate them the most. The cave writings, the hewed and smoothened tablets, the leathery books that fill the most treasured libraries; the tiny lead-made print of the 18th and 19th century newspapers.

Peadar O’Dowd’s credentials for writing about Galway were impeccable. One of four children, Nono, Willie, Martin and Peadar, born to their parents John and Bridget, he grew up in Bohermore and was always grateful for the fact. He lived his life there and throughout that life would celebrate the area and its people in hundreds of articles and interviews he published in various newspapers and journals.

A new, Irish documentary directed by Galway native Pamela Finn will be showcased at the JFK Hyannis Museum Cape Cod, Massachusetts United States and Galway City Museum this summer.

It was a sort of homecoming for Galway-native writer Michelle McDonagh last week as she savoured the atmosphere of Cuirt the week in which her debut novel was launched in her native city.