A Matter of Record - The Donegal Democrat down the years

Another look at the marvellous mix of stories and contributions that have made the pages of the Donegal Democrat over the past century, writes Michael McHugh.

Donegal Democrat, November 2 1923 - 100 years ago

Audacious Pirates - Try to Sink Tirconaill Boat

Audacious "thieving of fish" along the North coast was alleged in An Dáil against English and Scottish trawlers.

The Minister for Fisheries replied that a patrol boat operating from Killybegs would watch the coast, As to a charge that a patrol boat had been, consorting with poachers, he said he would like to have evidence of it, but his information was that a lot of people along the coast were in the pay of, and aiding, the poaching vessels.

On the motion for the adjournment, Mr White (Farmers) drew attention to illegal fishing between Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly.

(Above: 1940s - First Holy Communion Group from Killybegs Eugene McHugh photo archive)

On Oct 11 the Minister for Fisheries said he was making arrangements to put on patrol boats. There was a flagrant and defiant attitude now shown by these pirates, who were going further in their piracy since the Minister spoke.

Trawlers from England and Scotland covered their registration number with tarpaulins to prevent identification, and attempted to sink the boats that went out to identify them.

They sheltered near Innistranall Island and had their base probably in Culdaff bay.

He suggested that the Minister should get a report from the Lights Commissioners and from the lightkeepers, as the trawlers could not shelter there without being identified.

The local fishermen were practically in a state of starvation, as the potato crop had failed.

"I am informed" went on Mr White "that a certain patrol boat and a certain trawler had been found consorting, I suppose, about swapping a dog."

Mr J McBride did not blame poaching trawlers. It was an old profession. If they had their fishermen established on the coast there would be less poaching.

Mr C Hogan (Farmers) said if the number of patrol boats was not sufficient more should be provided. The territorial waters should be extended to 12 miles as was being done in America.

Mr Lynch, replying stated that the Ministry had about a month ago, sent the Helga round there. It lay in wait on the Northern coast, and caught nothing.

One patrol boat did catch a vessel, and a prosecution was taking place.

The point raised about Falcarragh was being considered. Regarding Tirconaill generally, he had been promised a boat which was stationed at Killybegs, and which was going to operate on the Northern coast . . .

He had been informed that certain persons along the coast were in pay of those trawlers, that they offered them shelter and "gave them the tip" when the Government patrols were coming along.

(Above: Steam drifters at the Killybegs Town pier in the 1920s from Eugene McHugh collection)

Donegal Democrat - Saturday November 4 1933 - 90 years ago

Ballyshannon Brass and Reed Band

A meeting of the Band committee was held in the Courthouse Ballyshannon on Frida, the 27th October.

The Revd. P.B. McMullin, C.C., presided and there was also present Revd,.Brother Lucian, Messrs. P.J. Stephens (Treasurer), J. Gallogley, Cecil A Stephens, M. Walsh and John Gillespie, (Secretary).

Donegal Democrat - Friday November 6, 1953 - 70 years ago

Ballintra

Work on the erection of 12 Labourers cottages at Laghey commenced during the week. It is the first housing scheme in the village. The local Development Committee of which chairman is Mr P. Bartley, and secretary, Mr C. McGinty, ex-N.T. have done marvellous work to brighten up this, one of the smallest villages in South Donegal.

The next task is to obtain a water supply.

Summer flowers have rebloomed in the garden of Mrs Margaret Doherty, Ballymagroarty.

Mr Wm. Doherty, senior, Glasbolie dug four potatoes, the total weight of which was 16lbs.

The pheasant shooting season which opened on Sunday is very poor.

The bird is almost extinct in the parish. Local sportsmen blame foxes.

(Sportsmen had a much wider ‘definition’ and remit 70 years ago, one would surmise!)

(Above: Plenty of familiar faces from Carnaween school in killybegs from the Eugene McHugh photo collectiona)

Killybegs

A number of young men left the area recently to take up employment in the south of England. A number of girls from the area also left.

A dozen sheep making their way down from the mountains to the owlands for the winter found themselves marooned on a sandy islet in Fintra Bay last week.

Their plight, which was precarious owing to the incoming tide, was noticed by Mr Eddie Conaghan, Island, who with great difficulty succeeded in getting them to the mainland over the newly constructed bridge.

Donegal Democrat. November 1, 1963 - 60 years ago

Donegal GAA - Suggested Team for 1964

A chara,

As a follower of the county team during 1963, I suggest the following selection which I think should bring honours to the county next year:

Seamus Hoare, Eddie Gallagher, Bernard Brady, J.D. McMenamin, Sean O’Donnell, John Hannigan, Paul Kelly, Sean Ferriter and Frankie McFeely; Danny Thomas, Mick Griffin, Declan O’Carroll, John Boner, Mick McLaughlin, Brendan Feely.

Subs: Joe Leeper, N.J. O’Donnell, Neil McKelvey, Patsy O’Donnell, Frankie Campbell.

Yours,

“Mad with the Selectors”

Magee’s Factory,

Weaving Department,

Donegal Town (28/10/’63)

(Two other letters also appeared in that week’s edition of the paper, one was signed by “Fionn MacCumhaill” from Stranorlar, while the only writer that actually gave his name and address was well known Donegal GAA man of the time, Eamon O’Cúinn (Edward Quinn) from Bundoran.

Over the years the paper was often contacted by “selectors” from within the county and exiles abroad, extolling the virtues of who should make the Donegal GAA team.

And just like the ‘real selectors', some of the choices often veered for some inextricable reason towards their home or at worst, neighbouring parish. Today, such methods are a distant memory.

That being said, some of the forensic dissection of the games and analysis from contributors was uncannily accurate and could have even merited discussion in a modern Jim McGuinness dressing room).