A Matter of Record - The Donegal Democrat down the years

More from the files of the Democrat over the past 100 years, Michael McHugh writes. From a one shilling fine for a wandering Brackey cow a century ago, no parking notices in Bundoran to vandalism of the trees on the famed Diamond of Donegal Town, during the war years.

And 40 years ago in July, the sun was blasting from the skies, in a time when climate change had yet to be used in common vernacular, as opposed to the nearly daily rain that we have experienced in July 2023.

Meanwhile the chaos on the Rossnowlagh beach on busy hot summer weekends has remained more of a constant, but hopefully not as bad as reported in 1983.

Donegal Democrat - July 20, 1923 - 100 years ago

Ardara District Court

Ardara (Tirconaill) District Sessions Court was held before Mr Sean O’Hanrahan, District

Sergeant Denis McCarthy summoned a Brackey man* for permitting a cow to wander on the public road. Defendant was fined 1s.

A Tullymore defendant, for having an unlicensed dog, was fined 10s and ordered to take out a licence and for similar offences two others, both of Tullymore were fined 5s and 20s respectively and orders were made to take out licences.

The Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland, prosecuted an Ardara man for using a gaff for the purpose of killing fish at Puratowra Pool on the Owenea river on the 1st of June.

Defendant was fined £4 and £1 costs.

For a like offence, another Ardara man was ordered to pay a similar amount

For aiding and abetting certain persons unknown in the illegal use of a net for the capture of salmon at Brian’s pool on the 31st May, was fined £6 and £1 costs.

Donegal Democrat, July 29, 1933 - 90 years ago

Bundoran

The tremendous rush on Sunday indicates that Bundoran is gaining popularity and that people are convinced that a day’s outing is conducive to health and happiness.

The ”No Parking” notices displayed on the carriage way makes the town city-like and if observed, will have the effect of leaving the control of traffic much easier.

However, if driving etiquette is not forgotten and some road sense acquired, the inconvenience to the public will be at a minimum and the chances of accidents lessened.

The coming Bank Holiday is being prepared for as never before. The various sports committees are busy making arrangements and hoteliers and other caterers anticipate a tremendous inrush.

Nearly all the visitors from the “Land O’Cakes” returned during the week after spending a jolly time; for the Scotch holiday atmosphere is always carefree and full of music and frolic.

Their departure has noticeably reduced the joyousness of the place, because our Scotch friends when on holiday take every ounce of value out of their time, and consequently when they leave, a certain dullness inevitably follows.

Donegal Democrat, July 17, 1943 - 80 years ago

Donegal Town Diamond vandalism

The Parish Council succeeded in inducing the Co. Council to plant additional trees on the Diamond, but their efforts don’t seem to have been much appreciated by those who practise vandalism.

Vandals have one eye for the beautiful and that is the reason they revel in destruction.

Some of the young trees planted recently on the Diamond have been dealt with by unkind hands and it is questionable whether they will be able to survive the damage inflicted.

The act found strong censure and condemnation among those whose tendency is the beautifying, whether it is a town or countryside.

About half a century ago trees were planted in the Diamond. A number of them have grown to maturity.

Others for reasons that are not quite explicable failed and in some instances the trees now planted are replacing the ones that proved unsuccessful in growth.

The trees that succeeded in reaching maturity have added to the beauty of the town and when in full foliage are greatly admired by visitors.

Vandalism is getting too common and strong measures when the opportunity is available be made to counterblast to stop it.

The rights and property of others should be respected and it is necessary to teach vandalism will no longer be tolerated with impunity.

Donegal Democrat, July 15, 1983 - 40 years ago

Sun burns away tourism gloom

As temperatures soared to the eighties during the past week, Donegal’s tourist industry, which has been just jogging nicely along suddenly broke into what amounted to a gallop.

The record influx of holidaymakers, day-trippers and visitors from overseas woke the trade up and all aspects of life connected with it have received a revitalising boost.

Resorts all over the county were jammed with cars and people, families out for the day, couples taking an afternoon off work, foreign cyclists, visitors from Northern Ireland with campers, coach loads of tourists from the Continent, Britain and America- all of them seemed to be in Co. Donegal this week.

Glorious weather and the Northern festivities brought a record number of visitors at the weekend. On Sunday the beach was packed with cars and there was near chaos when the tide came in late in the afternoon. Drivers panicked and tried to leave the beach in droves.

Parked driverless vehicles caused where other vehicles could not get past.

The entire length of the beach was filled with drivers trying to get off the beach before the tide came in.

Some drivers drove into the sea endangering bathers. At least one vehicle was damaged. Several drivers drove into the sea in the opposite direction trying to find a way out or a high part of the beach on which to park.

When the tide came in several vehicles were trapped against the wall on the shoreside of the Sandhouse and drivers had no alternative but to leave them stuck in soft sand and water until the tide went out and holidaymakers helped pull them loose

*No names from courts are used in this column unless it is an exceptional case.