Annual Christmas Miscellany 2022

Thu, Dec 29, 2022

During World War 2, after Hitler had overrun the continent and invaded the Soviet Union, the allies had made a treaty with the Soviet Union to supply them with war supplies. Cargo included tanks, fighter planes, fuel, ammunition, raw materials, and food. The early convoys in particular delivered armoured vehicles and Hawker Hurricanes to make up for shortages in the Soviet Union. The Arctic convoys caused major changes to naval dispositions on both sides, which arguably had a major impact on the course of events in other theatres of war. As a result of early raids by destroyers on German coastal shipping and a Commando raid on the Norway coast, Hitler was led to believe that the British intended to invade Norway again. This, together with the obvious need to stop convoy supplies reaching the Soviet Union, caused him to direct that heavier ships, especially the battleship Tirpitz, be sent to Norway, along with submarines.

The Real Scrooge

Thu, Dec 29, 2022

One of the hallmarks of the work of 19th-century author Charles Dickens is his oddball characters and their fanciful names: Uriah Heep, Martin Chuzzlewit, Lady Honorie Dedlock, Pip Pirrip, Abel Magwich, Miss LaCreevy, and Bardle the Beedle, to name a few. Perhaps Dickens’ best-known character is Ebenezer Scrooge, from A Christmas Carol -who, it turns out, was inspired by a real person and whose name has become a byword for miserly and mean.

Daylight murder in Dublin

Thu, Dec 29, 2022

FROM THE TIMES DECEMBER 8, 1922
Dublin was profoundly shocked today at the news that one of the members of the new Free State Parliament had been murdered in the city’s streets, while another had been seriously wounded. Mr Sean Hales member for West Cork, the late Michael Collins’s constituency, and Mr Padraig O’Maille, member for Galway, who yesterday was elected Deputy-Speaker of the new House, had luncheon together at the Ormond Hotel, Ormond Quay. At about 2.30 they left the hotel to attend the meeting of Parliament and, having called a jaunting car, were shaking hands with the proprietor, who is a relative of one of them, when they were attacked by a band of armed men who were lying in wait for them along the quays. Several shots were fired, and Mr Hales fell immediately, shot through the temple and the lungs.

Dublin was profoundly shocked today at the news that one of the members of the new Free State Parliament had been murdered in the city’s streets, while another had been seriously wounded. Mr Sean Hales member for West Cork, the late Michael Collins’s constituency, and Mr Padraig O’Maille, member for Galway, who yesterday was elected Deputy-Speaker of the new House, had luncheon together at the Ormond Hotel, Ormond Quay. At about 2.30 they left the hotel to attend the meeting of Parliament and, having called a jaunting car, were shaking hands with the proprietor, who is a relative of one of them, when they were attacked by a band of armed men who were lying in wait for them along the quays. Several shots were fired, and Mr Hales fell immediately, shot through the temple and the lungs.

Arctic naval convoys during World War II and a Kinvara connection

Thu, Dec 29, 2022

During World War 2, after Hitler had overrun the continent and invaded the Soviet Union, the allies had made a treaty with the Soviet Union to supply them with war supplies. Cargo included tanks, fighter planes, fuel, ammunition, raw materials, and food. The early convoys in particular delivered armoured vehicles and Hawker Hurricanes to make up for shortages in the Soviet Union. The Arctic convoys caused major changes to naval dispositions on both sides, which arguably had a major impact on the course of events in other theatres of war. As a result of early raids by destroyers on German coastal shipping and a Commando raid on the Norway coast, Hitler was led to believe that the British intended to invade Norway again. This, together with the obvious need to stop convoy supplies reaching the Soviet Union, caused him to direct that heavier ships, especially the battleship Tirpitz, be sent to Norway, along with submarines.

The first Court of The season

Thu, Dec 29, 2022

FROM THE TIMES JUNE 7 1922
The first of the three evening Courts of the season, which Their Majesties will hold at Buckingham Palace tomorrow night, is an occasion that no one possessed of imagination can consider without sympathetic interest. The scene itself is one of the singular charm, a festival of radiant youth. The flower of English girlhood, to whom this is the formal introduction to the natural pleasures of their social position, will make their curtseys to the Sovereigns. Though comparatively few can be present to see how they bear themselves in what must be to many of them something of an ordeal, we may be sure that each one is subject of the loving thoughts and good wishes of kindred and friends all over the country. The British are not considered an emotional race but there is, indeed, nothing to be ashamed of the in the sentiment which would invoke the purest blessings on these young girls who count for so much in our national life, both now and in the future. For are they not, in a real sense, the exemplars of their sisters of like age in every class of society? The Courts of 1992 bid fair to renew the dignity and state of prewar days, and such differences as have been introduced are all on the side of beauty, simplicity and convenience. The return to feathers, veils and the modified train, which Their Majesties have ordained, has been warmly welcomed not only as marking the importance of the occasion, but also as affording support to the nervous debutante, who in the old days was wont to find the prescribed long train almost unmanageable. It is believed that there has been much merriment over the supposed difficulties of reconciling feathers with “bobbed” hair but the shorter train obviously demands the wearing of corresponding short feathers. The debutante of this year will in fact wear a gown which, in essentials, is the same as any she might order for dinner or a ball, and one which she will be able to wear again at such occasions. The fact is significant of Their Majesties’ determination to discountenance anything like lavish display or needless extravagance, while note depriving the Courts of stateliness and distinction. The Courts in 1992 will set a standard of that beauty which is born of the simplicity of good taste.

Playing it by year — who knows what 2023 holds?

Thu, Dec 29, 2022

They say that an optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. So it will be for many of us this weekend when we bid a glad farewell to another year and welcome in the latest instalment — another chapter in the book of life.

Galway man wins national award at Bus Éireann’s GEM award

Thu, Dec 29, 2022

Dermot Hession, whose idea to introduce reverse vending machines in bus stations across the country, was celebrated at the 2022 annual Bus Éireann GEM (Go the Extra Mile) Awards. The awards acknowledge the dedication, exceptional service and heroic efforts of its employees across the country.

Half a century for justice — businessman reveals impact of abuse by former Christian Brother

Thu, Dec 22, 2022

A well-known Galway businessman said he had waited fifty years for his journey to justice to be completed, after a former Christian Brother who indecently assaulted him in the early 1970s was told he will be sentenced in March.

Calls for night bus service for city following concerns around getting home safely

Thu, Dec 22, 2022

There have been renewed calls for a night bus services for the city following hundreds of women joining a WhatsApp group to help safely navigate their way around the city.

Look after the little things this Christmas

Thu, Dec 22, 2022

Look after the little things in life. Because one day the time will come when you realise they are the big things. And there is no better time to find this out than at this time of the year.

University Late Night Pharmacy – Getting ready for Christmas

Thu, Dec 22, 2022

It has been a busy few months for pharmacies with many respiratory conditions on the rise, coupled with medicine shortages and providing vaccinations.

Stewart Construction to sponsor the COPE Galway Christmas Swim

Thu, Dec 22, 2022

For over 30 years, swimmers and dippers have made it their Christmas tradition to wear the COPE Galway t-shirt and “brave the cold” in the bracing Galway waters to raise awareness and funds for the local charity. People can also register on copegalway.ie/swim to “swim where you are” anywhere in the world from 20-26 December.

Sponsors, Stewart Construction have strong local connections with Galway Bay. While the company has completed many notable projects over the years, it is fitting that four generations ago, James Stewart and Co built the iconic Blackrock Diving Tower in 1954, the home of the COPE Galway Christmas Swim.

Labour councillor urges respect for all workers this Christmas

Thu, Dec 22, 2022

Labour City Councillor Niall Mc Nelis has said the Christmas rush cannot be an excuse for breaching workers’ rights.

Trad legend Frankie out the other end after cancer scare

Thu, Dec 22, 2022

When I arranged to meet traditional music legend Frankie Gavin in a quiet corner of the Galmont this week, I didn’t know what to expect. I’d heard he had been seriously ill, had lost a significant portion of his body weight and that wonderful hair, but when he came around the corner, wrapped in a grey tweet coat and scarf, he was the same Frankie I’d ever known. Buzzing with energy and life, a head full of hair and keen to sit down for coffee and croissants to share the story of the last year during which he feared for his mortality.

News of Cancer Care Centre for West welcomed by Prof Kerin

Thu, Dec 22, 2022

A new Cancer Care Centre at University Hospital Galway, to be included in the HSE’s National Service Plan (NSP)next year has been welcomed by leading surgeon Prof Michael Kerin.

Drum for Rosabel’s Rooms at the Spanish Arch this Christmas

Thu, Dec 22, 2022

A unique festive family drumming event with Galway’s Drumadore takes place at the Spanish Arch on Friday, December 23, to raise funds for Rosabel’s Rooms in partnership with the Irish Hospice Foundation.

The free workshop is open to all from 11am to 2pm to drum up support for the local charity who reach out to bereaved parents and families across Ireland to support them through the trauma of child loss. With Christmas classics and performances by Drumadore’s adult troupe, it’s set to be a rocking experience for a good cause. Not only that, but no experience or equipment is required.

Cell therapy may slow kidney damage from type 2 diabetes, University trial shows

Thu, Dec 22, 2022

University of Galway, in collaboration with the EU Horizon 2020-funded NEPHSTROM Consortium, has announced promising results from a new cell therapy trial for people living with diabetes.

McDonnell says Green Party councillors’ votes are holding back Galway’s progression

Thu, Dec 22, 2022

A former Mayor of Galway has strongly criticised the Green Party members on Galway City Council — accusing them of not having the best interests of the people of Galway at heart.

New North Galway bus services to go to tender

Thu, Dec 22, 2022

At Monday’s meeting of Galway County Council with officials of the NTA, Cllr James Charity confirmed to the meeting that Local Link and NTA had issued confirmation that a tender for a new bus service for the North Galway region was due to issue in January 2023.

Cllr Charity, based in Annaghdown and a representative of the Athenry-Oranmore MD, has been campaigning for a new bus service for the area since 2018 following the cessation of the previous Bus Éireann service to Corrandulla village overnight without any prior notice.

Áine Lally appointed as TG4’s Communications Manager

Thu, Dec 22, 2022

TG4 has announced that Áine Lally has been appointed as the broadcaster’s new Communications Manager. Áine, who has over twenty years experience as a broadcast journalist and newscaster with Nuacht TG4/RTÉ, began her television career in the 1990s in TG4’s Communications Department working with former Deputy Chief Executive Pádraic Ó Ciardha.

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