Search Results for 'Hitler'

“We were led to believe that from St Patrick to the Book of Kells was this highpoint of Irish history; that after the Vikings and Normans invaded it was all shite and misery until Packie Bonner saved that goal at Italia ‘90. But there were a few good bits in-between, and even though our good bits were epic failures, comedy can be a great pathway to tackle these deadly serious topics.”

Week III

Week II

Week III

One of Galway’s best kept secrets was the extraordinary double life led by a quiet, well brought up girl, who became the first and youngest professor of German at Galway University, only to abruptly resign her post to accept a challenge from the British Secret Service to enter the strange world of silently listening to the enemy’s conversations.

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.

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.

William Joyce’s notorious broadcasts to Britain, which continued throughout the six years of World War II, initially came from the studios in Berlin, later transferred to Luxembourg city, due to heavy Allied bombing, and finally from Apen, near Hamburg. The broadcasts were relayed over a wide network of German controlled radio stations in Zeesen, Hamburg, Bremen, Luxembourg, Hilversum, Calais, and Oslo. It had a huge potential audience, and was seen as a vital propaganda tool for Nazi Germany.

On September 3, 1939 at 11am, many Galwegians listened to the British prime minister’s broadcast declaring war on Germany. Very early the following morning, the following dramatic radio message came through to the Harbour Office. “Norwegian Motor Vessel Knute Nelson picked up 450 shipwrecked people, proceeding Galway. Due tomorrow morning, Tuesday 5th. Please arrange tender for landing same. Also notify pilot on Aran Islands. Please have medical supplies ready, From Master, September 4th”.

Travelling by rail to Clifden from Galway in the later years of the 19th century was supposed to take about one and a half hours, but it often took much longer. One of its great benefits was to bring anglers and shooters, ramblers and artists through the heart of Connemara, which it did very successfully. The train was quite happy to stop between stations to let people alight to follow their dreams, or to stay with friends who lived close to the railway.