Big Arms Find near Lifford 50 year ago - Donegal Democrat Archives

50 years ago this week, on April 12, 1974 the Donegal Democrat reported on what was described as a Big Arms Find near Lifford. 

The report read: "A party of Gardai who made a sweep of a mountainous area near Lifford on Wednesday of the week, unearthed an arms dump in the open.

"Carefully concealed in the earth at a shallow depth were a submachine gun, a pistol, 1,000 rounds of machine gun ammunition, five bombs, and a large quantity of fuses and detonators.

"The cache was on isolated grounds. Loose earth all round it gave the Gardai the clue and it is believed that the dump was of recent origin.

"The arms and explosives were taken to Letterkenny and handed over to the military at Rockhill for expert examination."

In another insightful look into the archives of the Donegal Democrat, we reveal how an apron could land you in court, military bands past and present in Ballintra, a Donegal that saw motor vehicles double in ten years to more than 13,000 if all were honestly taxed.Then there was Willie McNeilis who go to the go to the World Trades Fair for six months demonstrating weaving, and a council meeting being told that the repair of bog roads in the county were more

80 year ago - April 15, 1944 - Ballyshannon District Court

At Ballyshannon District Court a woman was charged with being knowingly concerned in dealing in certain goods - one pair of gent’s braces and six aprons - with intent to evade the export prohibition on June 15th 1943 . . .

The Justice said in his opinion that was a criminal charge and must be proved as such and he would hold the view until forced to the contrary.

ABOVE: From an April edition of the Donegal Democrat from 1964

He thought it was a reasonable inference that the goods sent were in short supply in Lifford while there was a surplus in Bundoran and he did not think that a firm such as Elliotts would be concerned with any two-pence half penny smuggling. He dismissed the case.

Ballintra and the Army Band

Not since a British Army Brass Band passed through Ballintra during the Great War have we been treated to the rousing strains of such martial music, until the No. 1 Army and of Ireland's own native army paraded the street prior to the Concert on Easter Monday night.

Everybody was delighted with it and the only regret expressed was that we do not often hear such a band.

60 years ago - April 17 1964  - Motor Vehicle numbers more than doubled in 10 years

In the ten years from August 1953 to August 1963, the number of motor vehicles taxed in the county increased from 5,841 to 13,041 and during the same period the number of driving licences in force increased from 9,321 to 16,2337.

The receipts from these increased from £122,000 to almost £250,000.

ABOVE: An advert in an April edition of the Democrat in 1954

These figures are contained in a report of the FG.P. Committee of Donegal Co. Council dealing with the staffing of the Motor Tax Department.

Donegal County Council’s law costs

The total amount paid to solicitors by the Council including stamp duty and outlay for legal work during the past two years was £9,236, Mr R. Anderson was told at Donegal Co. Council.

He was also told that during the year ended December 31st. 1963, £28,535 was paid in loans to applicants for private residencies and during the previous year the total was £29,130.

Mr S. Rodgers was told that the expenditure on the Gweedore - Termon Road via Errigal was £5,000 per annum and would take three years to complete.

No Foundation for Dance Hall Rumour

A rumour to the effect that the Pavesi Ballroom, Donegal is being taken over by an industrial concern for conversion to factory premises was described as absolutely without foundation when a “Democrat” representative made enquiries this week.

A representative of the Pavesi management described it as a malicious report put out by some persons with whom the wish was father to the thought.

Will represents Donegal weavers at World’s Fair

Mr Willie McNelis, Ardara, who will spend the next six months demonstrating weaving at the Irish Stand at the World’s Fair in New York, was guest of honour at a farewell dinner in the Nesbitt Arms Hotel on Thursday night when he received presentations from the weavers of the district, and Messrs. Magee & Co, Donegal Town.

50 years ago - April 12, 1974 - Bog Roads more important than jets

“This is a more important matter for rural Ireland than buying six jets and I know the Minister for Defence wouldn’t mind giving up a few helicopters”, said Senator B. McGlinchey at Donegal County Council, when a motion by Clr. J. Doohan, calling on the Minister for Transport and Power to provide a crash programme for bog roads, was adopted.

Clr Doohan said that this matter had been discussed at the Estimates meeting and they had asked the Department to give additional grants, but there was no use asking for grants unless they were prepared to do something themselves and he thought the council should allocate some money for even a small number of roads.

He felt that next year lorries would not be able to enter on the bog roads at all if something was not done to repair them.

There was no point in having turf supplies if there was no transport.