Headline news from The Nenagh Guardian 100 years ago this week
MAY 23 1925
Echoes Of The Past
On Friday evening (9th February, 1839) during the performance of Mr Gallagher, the ventriloquist, at Nenagh Courthouse, an unruly mob outside began to pelt stones, and in a short time the entire of the windows of the courthouse were smashed. A messenger was dispatched to the police barracks for the aid of the Constabulary and we regret to record their refusal to attend. Were it not for the presence of our very active and useful townsman, Mr Philip Ryan, the celebrated Commissioner (who seems to have been a kind of volunteer police officer), greater damage and injury would have been sustained.
Another riot occurred on Sunday evening last in the upper part of Castle Street between some countrymen who were trying their respectable strength and activity in hurling paving stones.
The Rev. Mr O’ Connor took a large stone out of the hand of one fellow, who was up to his throat in gore, and who said that he was determined, notwithstanding, not to go home, until he had “blood for blood”.
We regret to say that on this occasion also there was no protection for the peace of the town from the absence of the police.
The May Fly
The May Fly has appeared on Lough Derg within the last eight or ten days and all our local anglers have got their fishing gear in order.
“The first May Fly,” it has been said, “are the hearlds of a great army, and tell anglers more clearly than any words that the carnival of the fishing season is approaching. The insect is a dainty quiet irresistible to the brown trout, and anglers have long since learned to take advantage of the fact.”
The insect spends the first part of its life in larva at the bottom of the streams. After passing through a second stage it takes wings, and as it skims the water trout ignore almost all other food. Lough Derg is one of the most famous haunts of the May Fly in Great Britain or Ireland.
Guardian Editorial
If the Shannon scheme is brought to fruition, big construction works will be carried out in this area, and cheap power will become available for the organisation of little industrial enterprises. There will be an awakening of life and energy in the South West of Ireland that should have a reaction in the whole district.
The people of Thurles and Mid-Tipperary are making a strong effort to have a sugar beet factor under the new Government scheme placed in their midst. An energetic committee of business people in Thurles, with farmers and others, have taken energetic steps to ensure that the claims of the district will be considered.
A representative of the Big Belgian Sugar Manufacturers visited Thurles and the surrounding country last Thursday and made exhaustive inquiries. One of the first questions he asked was regarding the character, output and stability of labour. To this he attached the first importance. The sugar beet industry, we are convinced, can be made a success with energy and co-operation on the part of the farmers.
The importance of schemes, such as the Shannon Electric Scheme, and the proposed sugar beet factor, cannot be overestimated.
MAY 22 1965
Horse Bolted
Mr Joseph Harrington, Bolingbrook, received serious injuries to his head and body when his horse bolted going to the creamery last week. He was found lying on the side of the main road.
He was removed to Nenagh Hospital where he is making good progress.
Angling Notes
‘Mayfly’ writes in his ‘Angling Notes’: As I said in last week’s notes, the dancing Nymphs have once again made their annual appearance on Lough Derg, and as always the magic has lured from far and near anglers in search of the brown Shannon trout, so elusive at other times of the year, but waiting to be picked up just now.
Those of us with nostalgic memories will breathe a sigh of relief that Old Shannon is just what she used to be – a river well stocked with trout. All you need is local knowledge and some luck. Some fine specimens of trout were killed during the weekend, one of 6 lbs 10 ozs being taken in Luska Bay. I saw several in the region of 5 lbs. All were brought into Dromineer. I understand that catches all round the lake have been equally good. No matter what they say about “Far Away Places”, the fishing in Lough Derg, given the correct conditions, is better than any to be found on this island.
The stocks of trout on the Nenagh River are certainly very good. I have it from a very experienced angler that he met fine specimens of trout while fishing with an Archer Spinner lately.
Drink Prices Up
Nenagh licensed vintners have decided to increase the prices of all drinks as from Friday.
Spirits go up by 4d per glass, and 2d per half-glass.
Draught stout by 2d; small bottles of stout and ale by 1d; shandies, 2d per pint; cider, 1d per pint; port wines, 4d and 6d per glass.
’Mines Enterprise
Largescale excavations are in progress at the mining site at Garryard. The first mine shaft head has been connected, while large supports have been built for the plant and equipment. It is hoped to begin mining by the end of the year, but full scale operations will not be underway for some time.
Recond for Liam
At the Inter-Varsity athletics match at Dublin, won by Trinity College over UCD, by 96 to 76 points, Liam Gleeson (UCD and Nenagh) created a record for the meet when he covered the pole vault with a leap of 12 feet 7 inches to win the event. He was placed fourth in the discus event with a throw of 93 feet 10 inches.
Essay Winner
A 16-YEAR-OLD girl from Borrisoleigh took first place in the Essay Competition sponsored by the General Electric Company of Ireland limited. She was Miss Irene Kelly, of Ileigh, who, at a function in Dublin, was awarded the first prize of a scholarship worth £100 for her essay on “The Woman in the Poetry of Yates” . The presentation was made by a son of the poet, Mr Michael Yates.