A Matter of Record - the Donegal Democrat newspaper archive down the years

Memories of agents who collected for the landed estates, the nuisance of Killybegs of hawkers, the partial failure of potato crop in WW2, a Judge’s warning that bike reflectors were more important that the lights themselves and with entry to the EEC fifty years ago, the exacting requirements for the producing of the humble cucumber, writes Michael McHugh.

Donegal Democrat, November 16, 1923 - 100 years ago

Death and Funeral of Mr R. Hamilton, Bundoran

Death had removed a well known and popular gentleman in the person of Mr Richard Hamilton of “Dinglecoush” Bundoran.

His preposition as agent for the Sheil, Dickson and other estates in the locality brought him into contact with the entire countryside.

Though it was a position in which one could even unwittingly have made enemies, the deceased gentleman conducted his business so impartially that he won the esteem of all those with whom he had dealings.

His early years were spent at “Rowantreehill” between Ballyshannon and Belleek. After some years spent abroad he returned to reside at “Rockfield”, quite convenient to his old house.

In Ballyshannon where his office was situate, he was perhaps better known than in any other part of the district. His many friends there were genuinely sorry when a few years ago, failing health obliged him to relinquish the agencies which he held.

After a long and active life, the end came on Friday of last week, in his 79th year.

(Above: Donegal Democrat of November 1963 - St Louis Convent Bundoran)

Donegal Democrat - November 18, 1933 - 90 years ago

Killybegs Hawkers

The s.s. Alexandria of the Irish Lights Commissioners arrived here on Friday, and on the following day supplied the Sligo lighthouse with stores. The vessel berthed at the jetty on Saturday and took a large consignment of coal abroad for bunkers.

During the past few years the town traders are severely hit by hawkers, street traders and travelling shops.

A large percentage of these hawkers are foreigners and their contribution in rates and employment is negligible. If the town merchants are not supported they will eventually be obliged to close their business establishments, thereby swelling the local unemployment roll, and result in heavier rates being levied on other sections of the community.

Everyone with a spark of civic spirit, especially the farming community, should definitely resolve to support town traders who buy their produce By thus working in unison the prosperity and well being of the community shall be promoted and town and country preserved from decay.

(Above: Glancing back at the Democrat of November 1953) 

Donegal Democrat - November 18, 1944 - 81 years ago (WW2/The Emergency)

Partial Failure of Potato Crop

In the Dail, Deputy Cormac Breslin asked the Minister for Agriculture if he was aware of the partial failure of the potato crop in the congested areas with the consequent danger of a scarcity of seed potatoes and if he would make provision to ensure a sufficiency of seed potatoes in the spring for the areas now affected.

In his reply the Minister (Dr Ryan) stated that preliminary reports received indicated that while in some areas in the congested districts the percentage of diseased potatoes was higher this year than in recent years, yields in general would be up to average.

The Department’s Seed Distribution Scheme under which supplies of potato seed were distributed each year at reduced prices to smallholders in the congested districts would be operated again next Spring

(Cormac Breslin was a well known Fianna Fáil politician from Bunbeg in Gaoth Dobhair, who served as a Donegal TD in Dáil Éireann for 40 years, between 1937 and 1977 and between 1967 and 1973 he also served as its Ceann Comhairle - The above story highlights the importance of the crop to the people of the country, even a century after the Great Famine).

Donegal Democrat - November 25, 1944 - 81 years ago

Ban on “Gift” Turkeys

The sending of gifts of turkeys through the post by people in the Six Counties to relatives and friends in Britain is to be controlled.

The British Board of Trade wants turkeys to go through normal trade channels. The area expects to send to Britain nearly 500,000 fowl for Christmas, including 150,000 turkeys, the Press Association states.

Donegal Democrat - November 13, 1953 - 70 years ago

Cyclists be warned

“We are now into the dark evenings and I want the public to understand that it is much more dangerous to cycle without a reflector than without a light,” Justice O’Hanrahan stated at Ballyshannon Court, when imposing a fine of 10s on a cyclist who was charged with riding without a reflector .

Old Age Pensioner was aggressive

Stated to be an Old Age Pensioner, a Drumkeen man was fined £2 or one month’s imprisonment at Stranorlar Cort for being drunk and disorderly.

Garda McHugh said defendant was very aggressive on the street and acted in a blackguardly manner.

He almost tore witness’s shoulder straps from his tunic and hammered the door of the Station cell. He broke another man’s glasses in the street.

Donegal Democrat - November 16, 1973 - 50 years ago

Cucumbers for the Common Market

The E.E.C. common standards of quality in classes Extra, I and II relates to those varieties of cucumbers satious L, for supply to the consumer fresh. It does not apply to cucumbers for processing or to gherkins.

Quality Specification

The purpose of the standard is to define quality requirements for cucumbers at the despatching stage.

The cucumbers must be:- whole; sound; of fresh appearance; firm; clean and in particular free from impurities, soil and any visible trace of chemicals; with bitter taste; free from

Abnormal external moisture free from foreign smell or taste.

The cucumbers must be sufficiently developed but with seeds still soft. The state of the produce must be such that it can withstand transport and handling and meet commercial requirements at the place of destination.

“Extra Class”

Cucumbers in this class must be of superior quality and possess all the characteristics typical of the variety. The must be: developed; well shaped and practically straight (maximum altitude of arc; 1 in 10); of good colour; typical of the variety; free from defects, including any malformation, in particular due to seed development.

(Joining the then E.E.C was to reap many benefits to this country, when we joined in January 1973 along with Denmark and Britain but as can be read from above, exacting rules regarding standardisation of crop and plants like the cucumber made life extremely difficult for many producers and in some cases, a bit far fetched.)