A matter of record - Donegal Democrat down the years

The Donegal Democrat has been reporting from the highways and byways of the county since its first publication back in June 1919.
It is part of our rich historic legacy which began just before the foundation of the Free State and later the Republic of Ireland.
Sadly not all the editions survived the passage of time, which included a fire in its early years.
But in times ahead, veteran journalist, Michael McHugh, who first started belting the typewriter for the 'Demo' when Donegal won its first All Ireland senior GAA football championship in 1992, will puruse the unique legacy archive that is the DONEGAL DEMOCRAT.
We hope readers will enjoy it too! 

100 years ago - Donegal Democrat - May 4, 1923
While Donegal was still very much in the throes of the Irish Civil War (28 June 1922 – 24 May 1923), the new cross border element of a divided border was throwing up the practicalities and penalties of what this meant in reality and that of the transfer of small goods over the “frontier”, including, in this case, 2lbs pf of sugar.
Now, with the advent of Brexit, customs regulations and enforcement is still a matter of debate and at times, dispute, between North and South, as it was 100 years ago.

The Customs Regulations - A Point to be cleared up
“When the Customs regulations as between the Free State and the Six-County area, were put into operation at the beginning of April, it was generally understood that householders residing in tie Free State and making small purchases of dutiable goods in Northern Ireland for domestic use would not have to pay duty when returning to the Free State.
For instance a housewife from the Free State coming into Derry and buying half a pound of tea, 2lbs of sugar, etc would not it was thought, have to pay duty on these commodities at the Free State Customs Station on her way home, and as a matter of fact, such small purchases were at the outset exempt , but now it appears that a new order has been made, and duty is being collected on such small household supplies.
We have authentic information of a farmer residing in the Free State who when in Derry purchased a couple of pounds of sugar.

50 years ago - Donegal Democrat from May of 1973, the late Senator Paddy McGowan, who was also involved in ballrooms over the years including the Pavesi in Donegal Town, now the St John Bosco Centre

At the Customs Station on the Free State side on his wav home, he informed the officer in charge of the content of the parcel.
To his surprise the man was informed that the 2lbs. of sugar were liable to duty, and he was obliged to pay 6d for which he got a receipt.
Of course, if such an order is to be enforced, it will hit retailers in the border towns on the Six County side of the frontier, but it is believed there is a misunderstanding in regard to the imposition of duty on such small quantities, a definite statement of the position from the Free State authorities is necessary.”

Three District Court sessions were held at Glenties before Mr O’Hanrahan, the District Justice and Sergeant McMahon of the Civic Guards.
Two commercial travellers were fined 10s and costs for permitting their motor cars on the public street on the night of March 3, 1923 without lights, “convictions to be recorded on drivers licences”.

The war years or the Emergency were tough ones for the people of Donegal. Whatever about the current debates about Turf, it was literally a life saver back in those days, after the British stopped supplying coal here, due to their own requirements. This advert appeared on the front page of the Democrat on May 8, 1942

Two others were fined for being drunk on the public street “and the Justice asked the Civic Guard in future to have street inquiries made to find out the names of public houses who supply drink to people under the influence”.
21 people were summoned for non payment of rates and finally three gents were summoned “for being in possession of a still and worm, and also for having in their custody or possession a quantity of spirits, the full duties whereon had not been fully paid”.

70 years ago Donegal Democrat Friday, May 01, 1953
PETTIGO - Recently the Pettigo G.A.A. the club committee purchased a large field known locally as "Morrow's Meadow," which they are converting into an Athletic Park.
Up to the present there was no permanent park for the use of the youth of the village for sports or matches.
Great credit is due to the enthusiastic young men of the committee, who made the the purchase from Mr. William Porter, of Kimmid, at the price of £500.
On Sunday night the G.A.A. club sponsored an enjoyable variety concert in St. Mary's Hall. The artists were the Dunkineely dramatic players.
The hall was packed. At a ceilidh held afterwards, the attendance was record, despite the inclemency of the weather.
Mr. Harold Johnston, a very popular assistant in the shop of Messrs George E. McCrea & Son, Pettigo, and probably one of the most popular youths in the village, has emigrated to Canada.
BALLYSHANNON - The corncrake was heard near Ballyshannon for the first time this year on Wednesday evening.
BUNDORAN - The Gardai have vacated the old barracks on Main Street and have entered into possession of the newly erected building on Church Road. The Urban District Council have rented offices in the old building which has been purchased by Mr Sean Meehan, auctioneer and estate agent.”
DONEGAL - The Rev. S. A. Cave, rector, presided at a meeting of the Donegal District Nursing Association in the Courthouse, on Thursday of last week. Mr. K. Hill, hon. treasurer, manager of the Royal Bank, presented the statement of accounts.
The Association, it was stated, received £80 yearly from the county council, £87 from the Department of Health, and £60 investments.
During the year £140 was raised by collection. £10 was received on flag day and £30 from a dance. It would take £450 to maintain the service next year, it was pointed out.
Tributes were paid to Mrs. A. Wray, hon. secretary, for her efficiency and courtesy during hev term of office. Mrs. H Temple was appointed new hon. secretary.
On Friday evening the Acies of the Legion of Mary was held in the Four Masters' Church. There was a large congregation present at the impressive ceremonies. Rev. J. Deeney C.C. delivered the address.

80 YEARS AGO - Early May of 1943 was also a critical time in the newspaper survival business as pagination went
down during the war year and an appeal to readers of the Democrat and Societies and Association's to sell on any
waster paper in their possession

60 years ago Donegal Democrat, May 3, 1963

Top of the bill for the Letterkenny District Nursing Association's annual dance were “The Premier Aces” at the Fiesta Ballroom in Letterkenny.
Dancing, we read would go on from 9pm to 2am and would cost the sum of 6/- for admission.
The advert also stated at the bottom:
“There will be no dancing in this Ballroom during the Annual Retreat”.
That same evening, it was the “first appearance of the phenomenal”, Springtime Aces. Dancing only went into 1am , but admission was cheaper at 5/-.
On May 9 1963 you could look forward “to the beat of the Rhythm Aces Showband at the Sand House Hotel in Rossnowlagh.