Date: June 4 1840

The Connaught Journal
Galway, Thursday, June 4, 1840

NAME OF GALWAY

The following communication has been lately made to our Town Commissioners:-
GENTLEMEN.- It is not, I believe, very universally noticed, that the River, town and county of Galway have derived their name from a large Rock which lies near the west bank of the river, a little above the present Salmon weirs, between them and the New Bridge, which leads from the county court-house to the prison; its situation may be seen marked, No. 24, on the old map of the town, formed about 200 years ago, and given in the History of Galway, with this reference, 24, "The Rock where the woman Galiva, is said to have been drowned, from which the city of Galway was named." p. 29
Having heard it was intended to clear away the rocks in this part of the River, it was suggested that the one in question, form the historical incident connected with it, deserved not only to be spared; but moreover, that it would be creditable to the town to have some distinctive mark placed on it commemorative of the circumstance alluded to: in which opinine several of the inhabitants fully concur, and have recommended an application to be made to you on the subject, that you may be pleased to take it into consideration in order to have a memorial erected thereon at a moderate charge, but at the public expense, under your auspices, as town commissioners.
It is respectfully suggested, that this may be effected by having a single shaft of granite limestone, about 8 feet high erected perpendicularly on the rock, to appear in the following manner: [Picture of proposal]
The expense of procuring the stone, having it shaped, lettered, and erected, may be estimated by reference to your Architect.
Submitting the foregoing, and a suitable inscription, to your consideration, I have the humour to remain, Gentlemen, with much respect, your very obedient servant,
JAMES O'FLAHERTY
Taylors-hill, 13th May 1840.
P.S. Enclosed is an extract in Irish, recording the circumstances, taken from the Din Seanchas, one of our oldest records, preserved in the book of Lecan, in the possession of the Royal Irish Academy. If it be considered too long, some other appropriate inscription may be devised.- It is in Irish and English as follows:-
Gal'leamh ingean Breasail buain
Ret forthraic sa lind lanuair,
An so baldead in geag gil
Uaithi aiumni thear Gailleamh.

"Gailleav daughter of noble Breasail
Bathed in this cooling stream;
Here the blooming branch was drowned-
And from her is Galway named."

It is thus rendered in Latin by the learned Roderick O'Flaherty, author of the Ogygia;-
"Ludit aquis mersam, deluserat amnis
Bressalii prolis, funere nomen habet."

The Commissioners regretted that the powers vested in them, did not extend to the appropriation of any of their funds for the purpose; but immediately entered into subscriptions, which when completed, we shall feel great pleasure in publishing. They also voted thanks to Mr. O'Flaherty for his learned and ingenious communication, and undertaking to superintend the subscriptions and the erection of the Obelisk.

MECHANICS' INSTITUTE

A meeting of the members of the above Institute, was held on Tuesday last, in consequence of a letter which appeared in the last number of the Connaught Journal, signed A Friend in Order. The Room was densely crowded by Tradesmen of all classes, and a great many respectable persons. Several resolutions were proposed by the members of the Institute, which passed unanimously. Many excellent speeches were delivered by the Tradesmen in proposing the resolutions. We were not a little surprised at the talent and information of the several speakers, they delivered their speeches in language well suited to the occasion, and a style and manner which does them inunite credit. After the resolutions were passed, the President rose and spoke for about an hour, in a speech replete with good, sense, talent, and information. He was repeatedly, most enthusiastically cheered, during the delivery of his address he spoke on the different resolutions which they adopted, and in forcible language alluded to the propriety and spirit of these resolutions. He knew of no bad feeling, animosity or bickering, which was stated to exist among the members of this society towards the members of the other temperance rooms, it could not exist without his knowledge, for he was among them day after day. he could not understand why the Tradesmen of Galway who have taken the pledge the majority of whom are not members of any of the societies, should be prevented from becoming members of the Mechanics' Institute; the object of which is the improvement of their mind, and the acquirement of information in their respective trades; or that any person should presume to say that the Mechanics' Institute must be annihilated, as well might such language be held towards the gentlemen of the Amicable Society or the Merchants and Traders of the Commercial Rooms, have not the Tradesmen a right to form a society for the improvement of their minds, who shall call them to an account for doing so? The man that would must be foolish and weak minded indeed. We regret that we cannot give even the outline of the powerful speech delivered by the President.
Owen Martin, Esq., addressed the meeting and said, that his services should be always given to the Tradesmen of Galway, who seemed so anxious to acquire knowledge in their respective Trades.
A number of Tradesmen became members of the Society after the conclusion of the President's speech.
The following are the Resolutions:-
Proposed by Mr. Field; seconded by Mr. Stephen Cosgrave, Resolved:-
That no bad feeling is entertained by any of the members of the Trades Mechanics' Institute twwards the members of any of the other Temperance Societies of this Town.
Proposed by Mr. Timothy Lyons, and seconded by Mr. John O'Flaherty, Resolved:-
That the members of the Galway Mechanics' Institute entertain the kindest feelings and good will to all the members of the two Temperance Societies of Galway, and ardently hope that the sacred cause of Temperance will be promoted by a holy emulation of each society in advancing and forwarding sobriety.
Proposed by Mr. B. Sullivan and seconded by Mr. T. Cronnolly. Resolved:-
That it is a base calumny on the members of the Galway Mechanics' Institute, and a libel on a large body of the Tradesmen of the Town of Galway to assert that the most part of them can neither read nor write.
Proposed by Mr. T. Cronnolly and seconded by Mr. P. Commons, Resolved:-
That there are not even two members of the Galway Mechanics' Institute so deficient in the elements of education as not to be able to read and write, and that the majority of them have received a good and excellent education.
Proposed by Mr. Peter O'Flaherty, and seconded by Mr. M. Larkin, Resolved:-
That if the Tradesmen of Galway are so ignorant as not to understand any thing of Mechanism nor of the Lever, Wheel, Axle, Pully, Inclined Plane, Wedge and Screw, it should be a strong motive to induce them to require information either by reading of books, or by Lectures delivered by gentlemen competent to inform their minds on those subjects.
Proposed by Mr. Stephen Cosgrave and seconded by Mr. Conneelly, Resolved:-
That no person should dare presume to lecture the members of the Trades Mechanics' Institute and the Tradesmen of the Town of Galway in their forming a Society for the improvement of their minds and the acquiring of knowledge in their respective trades.
Proposed by Mr. Naughton, and seconded by Mr. John Burke, Resolved:-
That we beg leave to offer our warm and sincere thanks to Dr. Grey, Owen Martin, Esq., and the other gentlemen who have patronized this society, and who have kindly delivered Lectures in this Room, which have traded much to the improvement of our minds.
Proposed by Mr. Kelly and seconded by Mr. Rath, Resolved:-
That we place the most implicit reliance on our worthy President, the Very Rev. Thomas Agnew, by whose wisdom, talent, zeal, and prudence this society has been brought to its present prosperous and respectable footing.


THE GALWAY TRADES MECHANICS' INSTITUTE AND MORALITY ASSOCIATION.
The following Rules have been proposed and adopted by a general meeting of the Trades, at their Room, Mainguard, Feb. 9th, 1840:-

1st Rule- That no person be admitted a member of the above Association unless he can produce testimonials of his pledge from the Very Rev. Theobald Matthew, of Cork, or any of the Catholic Clergymen of the Town who are appointed to distribute the medals.
2nd- That in order to be a member of this society, each person shall contribute the sum of 3d per week, to enable its committee to establish a fund for the purchase of books, expenses of the Room and the Relief of its sick members and burying their dead.
3rd- That no member of this society shall be entitled to any benefit until he is 6 months a member of the Institute.
4th- That after the period of 6 months from the formation of this society the committee do decide what sum the sick members are to receive.
5th- That it is the duty of every member, who may discover another member violating his pledge, to proceed forthwith to the Society's Rooms and have it entered on the Blotter, specifying name, time, place, and in what way violated.
6th- That the Secretary be requested to answer to the President and Committee in all important matters connected with the Society.
7th- A connexion with any illegal combination, or the commission of any act or deed that may be deemed by the President and Committee disgraceful to the entire body, shall become an obstacle to an admittance to the Rooms, and a sufficient cause for the expulsion of any member who may have previously been a subscriber.
8th- No rule of the committee is considered valid until it have received the attention of the President.
9th- Any member that neglects paying in his subscription at the end of the month will be disqualified.
10th- That no persons shall be admitted members of this Society unless Tradesmen, the sons of Tradesmen bound to their respective professions, or Apprentices who are in the second year of their Apprenticeship.
11th- That no member of this society (who may wish to read a newspaper) shall be permitted to discuss any political subjects, or disturb the harmony of the society by the introduction of such subjects.
12th- That the committee of 15 members, to be selected by ballot shall perform the duties of this society, for six months, and after the expiration of that period a new committee shall be appointed.
13th- That no person be admitted an honorary member of the committee unless by the approval of the President, Vice-President, and standing committee.
VERY REV. THOMAS AGNEW, President.
REV. THOMAS RUSH, Vice-President
PATRICK FIELD, Secretary.

Fire-A fire broke out in this town on Thursday last, in the house of Mr. Martin Lyons, which caused much alarm, it being in the most populous part of the town. The soldiers of the depot of the gallant 5th, stationed in Castlebar, with their officers, and the engine from the barracks, instantly hastened to the place, but owing to some defect in the engine, it could not be brought to play on the fire. This is to be much regretted, as it should be kept in practice and thorough repair. A house catching fire in a central part of a town is likely to do much damage if not put a timely check to, and a good fire engine is the most likely to effect this. We trust that the defect will be speedily remedied as it will create much confidence in the minds of the inhabitants. The officers and soldiers were indefatigable in their exertions and remained round the premises until the fire was entirely extinguished. The police under the superintendence of Mr. Hillas also hastened to render his assistance. This not the first time we had the pleasure of recording our meed of praise of Mr. Hillas, while stationed in this town for more that 16 years. There was little or no damage done to the house, but we have heard that several articles of furniture and wearing apparel have been destroyed.--Telegraph

BIRTH

In Tuam, the lady of James Henderson, Esq., of a daughter.

MARRIED

In St. George's Church, by the Rev. Mr. Bride, P.C. and also by the Rev. Mr. Laphen, R.C.C., Thomas MacNevin, Esq., Barrister-at-law, to Eliza Letitia, only daughter of the late Xaverius Blake, Oran Castle, in this county, Esq.

GALWAY RACES

Numbers of respectable families are crowding into Galway for the enjoyment of sea-bathing, and the Summer promises to be unusually gay, as we will enjoy many amusements. Theatricals, Races, Regattas, &c. will attract the gentry of the County, and induce them to prefer Galway to other watering places. There will be splendid races at the Kiltolla course, and from the superior character of the horses, and the influence and respectability of the Stewards, we anticipate much sport, and a vast assemblage of the rank, beauty, and fashion of the province. The races are to continue for three days and the articles will soon be published; and with the zeal and exertions of the following gentlemen who, we understand, are to act as Stewards, the Races of Galway for this season promise to surpass any of these previously held:-
Thomas N. Redington, Esq., M.P.; John Augustus O'Neill, Esq., of Bunowen Castle; Robert Bodkin, Esq. Anna; Thomas Joyce, Esq. Merview, &c. &c.
What are the spirited people of Loughrea about. They were once great admirers and liberal supporters of horse races, and we hope to see them still animated with the same desire of reviving these sports.

FIVE BATHING LODGES AT
SALT HILL
TO BE LET
FURNISHED,

The Tenants can be accommodated with Grass for Cows, with Stabling, Coach Houses, &c.
Application to be made to Mr. Edmond O'Flaherty, Outerard, or to Mr. Patrick Regan, Nun's Island, Galway.
Galway, June 4, 1840.

TO BE LET
AND IMMEDIATE POSSESSION GIVEN

The Yards and Sheds on Merchants Road, lately occupied by Mr. Patrick Stephens as a Foundry.
Application to be made to Francis Fitzgerald, who will also Let two Large Yards, having each a Front of about sixty feet to Merchants' Road, with another Front to the New Docks, the depth from Merchants' Road to the Quay being about 180 feet, there is a Lease of Lives renewable for ever of those premises, at a low yearly rent.
Galway, June 4, 1840.

LAND TO BE LET

About 12 Acres of Land lately in the possession of B. Reegan, Surveyor, situate between the Front Gate of Newcastle and the New Poor House.
Proposals to be received by Dudley Persse, Esq. Roxboro' and no preferences given except to the highest bidder, and best solvent tenant.
Patrick Conley, Newcastle, will show the premises.
Galway, June 4th, 1840.

CORK
Temperance Society

At a Meeting of the above Society held on Wednesday evening last, at their Rooms in Shop-street, The Rev. M. JOYCE in the Chair, The following Resolutions were adopted:-
That we view with deep regret, the attempt made by a Branch of the Teetotallers (called the Mechanics' Institute) to create disputes and generate factious opposition to a union of all the Galway Teetotallers, a consummation so wished for by the friends of order and peace.
That the spirit of jealousy and the curse of division appear evident in the Councils of those, who instead of meeting to oppose the calumniator and common enemy of the Temperance cause, formed a Cabal to depreciate that harmony and concord which a junction of those societies would accomplish.
That we would be guilty of a dereliction of that duty which we owe to ourselves as well as to our fellow citizens who constitute the other Temperance Societies of this Town, did we not thus emphatically disclaim any concern whatever in an attack alledged to have been made on the Ploice [Police?] on the evening of Monday the 25th of May, or in any violation of the public peace on the occasion referred to, and that the statements published involving this Society are totally destitute of truth, and merely call forth our contemptuous reputation.
These resolutions were moved by the Rev. B.J. Roche, P.P., and seconded by John Ganning, Esq.
Moved by Mr. Doyle and seconded by Mr. Power:-
That we place the most unbounded confidence in the advice and guidance of our President, the Rev. B.J. Roche, P.P., and that we are satisfied any recommendation coming form him is influenced by piety, zeal, patriotism and prudence, that his talents entitle him to our respect, and that his government of this Society deserves our lasting gratitude.