THE TUAM HERALD, Saturday, APRIL 24, 1909 TUAM, CO. GALWAY PITHY PARS. - Personal Parochial Provincial and Particular The "Heather Field," a clever play written by our county man, Edward Martyn, Esq., of Tullyra Castle, Ardrahan, was produced last week at the Abbey Theatre. Dublin. by the very talented troupe that appear on the boards of that most popular place, not only of amusement but of instruction. Every visitor from the country should make it a point to go to the Abbey Theatre and see the national plays there so well and faithfully produced.. --------- The appointment of Mr. John Blake Powell, the leading lawyer on the Connaught Circuit, is not only a well won testimony to the high opinion held of him by the Judges and fellow benchers, but one of the most unprecedented marks of early recognition of ability and excellent professional qualities. There is no man at the Irish Bar who won distinction earlier and who in so relatively short a time after his call was made a Bencher. ---------- Mr. Feely, junr., Roscommon, was elected Sec. To the Suck Drainage Board in room of the late Canon Burke-Wright, at the salary of £50 yearly, in Roscommon last week. Mr. Charles Bagot, Curraghmore, Atbleague, was also a candidate for the position. ---------- We notice that a Liberal member for one of the Yorkshire constituencies is Mr. Henry Fionis Blosse Lynch, who, although a native of London, is a son of Thomas Kerr Lynch, described in "Who's Who" as "one of the Lynches of Partry House, Co. Mayo." Mr. Lynch has travelled much abroad, and in the House of Commons interests himself in Colonial questions. ---------- The boxing match between "Chat" Beirne, the famous Roscommon pugilist, and Bobby Dobbs, a coloured pugilist from Belfast, will take place in a marquee in the Old Jail grounds, Carrick-on-Shannon, early in May. ---------- A serious encounter lately took place between two policemen, Constables Cuffe and O'Brien of the Kilkerrin Station, Connemara, and a dangerous lunatic named Pat Ridge. It was reported at the police barrack that Ridge was in an excited state, and being armed with a pitchfork and an iron bar, al his neighbours had to seek refuge inside doors. When the police came on scene, they found Ridge as described, and when they made a step in his direction he charged at them with the pitchfork, but avoiding the points of the weapon they rushed in on the lunatic, and then followed a fierce struggle in which one of the constables narrowly escaped being run through with the pitchfork. After a considerable time, however, the man was disarmed and conveyed by train to Galway, when having been examined by Dr. Thomas McDonogh, before Mr. J. S. Young, J.P., and Dr. Grealy, J.F., he was committed to Ballinasloe Lunatic Asylum. ---------- The Commission appointed by the Archbishop and Bishops of the Province of Tuam to formulate a list of sacred music for exclusive use in public worship in the churches of the Province held its first sitting in Sligo last week under the chairmanship of the Most Rev. Dr. Clancy, Bishop of Elphin, and it was arranged that a list of sacred music should be immediately drawn up and submitted to each of the Diocesan Commissions with a view to securing its approbation before it is finally published. Resolutions regarding the fulfillment of the Ecclesiastical Laws in reference to church music were unanimously adopted. ---------- In Galway, Burke's Posting Establishment, Eyre Square, was sold out by public auction recently. Though the day was extremely wet and unfavourable, there was a crowded attendance at the sale, and buyers from various parts of the county attended. The sale was carried out by Mr. Mackle, of the firm of Joyce & Mackie, Auctioneers and Valuers, Eyre Square, Galway. ---------- A wanton outrage was perpetrated on the premises of the Galway Granite and Marble Co. at Earl's Island. Two beautifully cut headstones were maliciously cut in pieces. One of them was of polished granite exquisitely carved, and the other of native limestone. The damage is stated to be about £30, for which the Company have made a claim for compensation from the Urban District Council at the next Quarter Sessions. ---------- We observe that Father Walter Conway, P.P., Glennamaddy, never content in well doing, has now set himself to the task of erecting an Industrial Hall in the town. As a means to the end in view, he proposes to have a grand concert and dramatic entertainment in St. Joseph's Schools on Sunday evening, April 25th. He has secured for the occasion a promise of rich vocal talent, and the Ballybaunis amateur dramatic club are generously helping with a performance of a most amusing sketch which runs by the title of "Blundering Barney," and in the capable hands of the Ballyhaunnis amateurs will be seen to the fullest advantage. For social, recreative, and intellectual purposes the new hall, which is to be named St. Brigid's Hall, will fill a useful place in the life of the community, and often help to relieve the dulness and gloom of the long winter nights. Others might pause at attempting to carry such a project to completion, but with Fr. Conway there is no such word as Fail, as the many monuments to his zeal and perseverance, crowned by the splendid church he has given the parish, so abundantly prove. ---------- To John Connell, District Councillor, Knockdos, a rather serious accident has occurred. It is stated he slipped on an orange peel on one of the pathways while in Galway and sustained a severe wound on the head. He was removed to the County Infirmary, where for a time his condition was regarded as critical, but accounts state that he is progressing favourably. ---------- Some of the residents of Corrib Terrace, Galway, were alarmed by cries for help from the direction of what is known as the "Dam," one of the most dangerous spots in Galway. A young man named Murphy, who was staying for the night with some friends, courageously went to the rescue and succeeded after much difficulty in taking from the water a stranger who was completely exhausted, but who declined to give his name. For years past the Urban Council have been writing to the Navigation Trustees about railing in or closing up this death-trap, but without result. It was stated at a meeting of the Council some time ago that close on a 100 persons had been drowned in the dam. ---------- A marriage has been arranged, and will take place quietly at Ewhurst in August, between Harold Winter Hodges, of the Royal Naval College, Dartmounth, younger son of John C. Hodges, Plainmoor House, Torquay, and Maude Mary, elder daughter of the late Rev J. T. Fowler, Canon of Tuam Cathedral, and Rector of East Hanningfield, Essex, and Mrs. Fowler, Spange Hawe, Ewburst, Surrey, and granddaughter of the late Lieutenant-General Law, K.H., Colonel 71st Highland Light Infantry. --------- The Westport Urban Council have adopted a water scheme for the town at a cost of £8,500. The work is now in hands. --------- Archbishop Carr, of Melbourne, Australia, is seventy years of age. He was born in Galway in 1839; studied at Rome; at St. Jarlath's, Tuam, and at Maynooth; ordained in 1865, six years parish work at Westport and Tuam; subsequently Professor and Vice President at Maynooth; consecrated Bishop of Galway, 1883; and Archbishop of Melbourne in 1886. ---------- Mr. Fetherstonbaugh, M.P., underwent, on the 3rd inst., and operation for the relief of his throat, and is now rapidly convalescent. The doctors think the cure is sure to be permanent. For a couple of months, however, he is to avoid late hours, and get all the fresh air possible. ---------- Jim McNamara British Isles Family History Society - USA, Newsletter Editor http://www.rootsweb.com/~bifhsusa