A Matter of Record - The Donegal Democrat archives down the years

This week, we move from the British government looking for compensation for damage to a Crossley motor maliciously taken or destroyed in January 1922, as reported at a local council meeting in the Donegal Democrat, a free milk scheme for children in the county from 1933 and the rationing of paraffin oil for domestic during the war, ten years later, with a warning of severe penalties if there was any shenanigans going on.

And 70 years ago, the big country shows were going on everywhere in the county, by groups like Macra, as September beckoned, writes Michael McHugh. 

Donegal Democrat September 7, 1923 - 100 years ago 

Bundoran Urban council - Alleged malicious injury

Among other claims received was one from the British government for a Crossley motor value £865, alleged to have been maliciously taken or destroyed in January 1922. All claims were referred to Council’s solicitor to defend.  

Public lighting

The clerk was instructed to write to the lighting contractor - Messrs J.Myles & Co. Ballyshannon and remind them of a promise made to a deputation to have three extra lights, one at Drumacrin, one at Fish lane and one on the Chapel Road near the Rectory.

Water Supply

Councillor Connolly drew attention to leakages at two fountains in the East End. There was, he said, a lot of water  going to waste at these places.

The Clerk was instructed to have the connections repaired.

The Chairman said people staying in the East End had been speaking to him about a shortage of water there. 

The supply, they said, failed towards each afternoon. The Clerk might be able to inform them if there was a possibility of any obstruction inside the pipes.

The Clerk (Mr E Daly) said there could not be a cleaner set of supply pipes in any town in Ireland than they have in Bundoran.

An advert for Flood's Hotel in Pettigo from September 1923

This was apparent to everyone who visited the spot where the pipes were blown up during the trouble of last year. 

The public water supply was so extensively used now that the main pipe was scarcely large enough to keep up the pressure, especially during the afternoon, when the water was most used.

Donegal Democrat September 2, 1933 - 90 years ago 

Government’s Free milk scheme

The Government’s Free milk scheme was considered at a special meeting of the Donegal Board of Health.

Dr S. O’Deagha County M.O.H. submitted a draft scheme for the count to cover the provision of the free milk as from October 1st next.

The free supply of milk shall be available only for (a) children under five years of age, whose parents or guardians are eligible for Home Assistance; (b) children under five years of age who are unable from their own resources to provide such children with an adequate supply of milk, and (b) children of above named classes over five years and under fifteen years of age who have contracted or in danger of contracting diseases owing to lack of nourishment and who are certified by a tuberculosis officer or a school medical office or a county medical officer of a dispensary district to be in need of a supply of milk . . . 

No electric cars back in 1923

The supply of milk under the scheme to any family in respect of children under five years of age shall not exceed the following quantities: One child one pint; two children, one and a half pints; three children, two pints, which should ordinarily be the maximum amount for any one family.

Donegal Democrat September 4, 1943 - 80 years ago 

Paraffin Oil for Domestic Use 

The Minister for Supplies thereby gives notice that he hopes to be in a position to give a ration of paraffin oil for domestic use in the month of October. 

So that the necessary steps may be taken for the distribution of the oil, the following instructions should be carefully noted.

All applications for kerosene ration cards must be made before the 8th September; after that date, no applications can be considered.

Your little tipple from 1933 as advertised in September of that year in the Demo

All kerosene ration cards should be immediately handed or sent to the selected licensed retailer . . . .

It is necessary to stress that the quantity of paraffin oil for domestic use will be strictly limited, but every effort will be made to distribute for such purposes as large a ration as possible after the requirements of agricultural and essential industrial users have been met. 

No special allowances can be granted for such purposes as the lighting or heating of workshops, tailoring or dressmaking workshops, forges or other similar places.

Provided sufficient kerosene is available the special concession granted last year for churches, schools, licensed premises, dairy farmers etc. will be continued this year but in no case will the allowance exceed 5 gallons per month.

Parochial Sport participants at Townawilly from the Donegal Democrat edition of September 13, 1963

Warning: Heavy penalties are incurred by any person, who for the purpose of obtaining supplies of kerosene for domestic use, furnishes any information or makes any declaration which is false or misleading in any particular.

Identity Cards in Yellow for Eire

Stricter check is to be made on Eire men and women entering Great Britain. They are being issued with a yellow temporary identity card valid for three months, after which they will be ordered to attend a local National Registration Office to have the temporary card endorsed to make it valid for a further period.

Much closer watch is being let on too, on other visitors to Britain, who are being issued with temporary identity cards.

Donegal Democrat September 4, 1953 - 70 years ago 

Glencolumbkille’s first show was big success

On Tuesday all roads in S.W. Donegal led to Glencolumbkille where for the first time in the county an agricultural and industrial show, organised by Muintir na Tire, was held.

Conceived with the idea of giving a fillip to Agricultural production in the area, the show, sponsored by the local Guild, proved successful from every aspect.

Entries in the industrial and homecraft sections were particularly heavy and were indeed, in excess of the expectations of the committee.

Embroidery and crochet classes brough over 60 entries and there were over 50 for the home craft classes which embraced rug and tweed making etc.

Ballintra Show promises to smash all records

Ballintra’s fourth annual show, which will be held on Wednesday next, has attracted a record entry and the sponsors, the local branch of Macra na Feirme, have spared neither energy nor expense in providing a show worthy of the growing support they receive.

The result is that they have undertaken one of the costliest and most enterprising programmes to be presented by any provincial show society.

Record Crowd expected at Inver

A record attendance is expected on Sunday at the Aeriocht Mhor in Inver, where a most entertaining programme will be presented.

Mr E. Gilbride, T.D. Sligo has arranged for the attendance of well known Sligo artistes and following the aeriocht programme the dancing board will be thrown open for public ceili dancing. The function will be formally opened by Mr Jack Lynch, Parliamentary Secretary to the Government and the attendance will include the Leas Ceann Comhairle, Mr Cormack Breslin, T.D.