A Matter of Record - A Historical look back at the pages of the Donegal Democrat

A new year and another journey into the eclectic and entertaining archives of the Donegal Democrat with Michael McHugh.

And in the days when Communism and Fascism were quickly becoming two of the great sins of the early 20th century - with many even turning a blind eye to them before it was too late - the more deadly corruption of modern Irish society was being infiltrated by an even greater evil . . . JAZZ!!

We also get a chance to brush up on our alarm sounds during WW2 including the Red Cross mobilisation warning, which must have been for (a) aerial bombardment or (b) Invasion, but Censorship made it as vague as possible.

1924 - January 4 - 100 years ago

Peculiar Pranks in Killybegs

Halloween, writes a correspondent, was formerly the night on which stupid and very often destructive tricks were played by unthinking youths; but the date for such doings has been changed, in Killybegs at least to, of all the days in the year, Christmas Day.

On Christmas Eve, or early on Christmas morning, the inoffensive knockers on the doors of sixteen houses were wrenched off or broken, only a few, for obvious reasons, being left untouched.

The culprits were not “kids”, certainly, as the operation required both strength and skill.

Nor was it the work of the ordinary corner boys, though the perpetrators generally suspected by their brainless and possibly drunken folly, proved themselves worse than the corner boys stooping to such vandalism in such a sacred festival.

Ballyshannon Quarter Sessions held on January 1, 1924

Bell Tent Taken - Mrs. Maguire, Bundoran

Mrs. Jeannie Maguire, Manchester Lodge, Bundoran, claimed £10 for a bell tent taken on 1st June, 1922. Mr. D. McMenamin, B.L. (instructed by Mr. R. H. Reid, Soir.) for applicant; Mr. M. Maguire, Solr., for Ballyshannon R. D. C. ; Mr W. T. McMenamin, Solr. for the State. Mrs. Maguire stated that the tent was taken by Irregular Forces on 1st June, 1922.

A receipt was given.

The tent cost £10 two years previously, and was replaced at a cost of £11.

Cross-examined by State Solr. - Men were armed. She heard the tent was taken to Ballaghameehan. The tent had been 2 summers in use.

She knew the man who had signed the receipt, but was afraid he was not at present a person from whom she could recover.

His Honour reported for a loss of £5 and 5s expenses.

1934 - January 6 - 90 years ago

Democrat Editorial - Jazz

The movement in the neighbouring County of Leitrim against Jazz is one worthy of imitation in each division of Ireland.

Apart from patriotic considerations, jazz is a thing that no Irish person should for an instant countenance.

It is a reversion to barbarism. “The Jungle’s revenge on civilization” Kreisler, the great violinist, describes it.

“The unreliable and chaotic accompaniment to modern dance perversion” is another apt definition.

Balfour - no friend of Ireland - quaintly described modern dancing as a country walk slightly impeded by a member of the opposite sex.

A nation should base its art-forms on the folk lore and folk music of the race. That has been the inspiration and the actual source of pre-Russian, Norwegian and Spanish school of music.

Sinetana based his opera, “The Bartered Bride'' on folk songs and gay irresistible Bohemian dance rhythms. It has endured and will endure.

Our Spiritual leaders of thought abhor jazz on ethical grounds. National- minded individuals detest it, knowing how fatuous and soulless it is when compared with our own peerless native music. Classical purists of all nations are frankly amazed at the cheek of it, but, if all these objections fail to convince, perhaps one sincere suggestion may be followed and the truth discovered. Good, pleasing music is not necessarily difficult to understand. Like Allingham’s poetry it is simple in form yet wonderful in its appeal withal.

Sincere and beautiful thoughts are expressed in the artless music of the countryside, and one need not be a high brow to discern it. In any case, it is easy nowadays to cultivate a taste for good music.

A simple peasant on the Western seaboard listening to the “Coulin” played on the violin would say that such music was beautiful, In saying that he would merely express an identity of opinion with the cultured and highly critical professional or composer.

Beethoven and Berliozi (not forgetting Handel) have said such things often, and that is why, it is hard to understand so much time being given in wireless programmes in this country to jazz.

We may disagree with Englishmen about tariffs and with Orangemen about politics, but even they and we must agree - and happily do agree - that jazz is a poor substitute for native song, - and such a native song.

(Hogmanay utterances or utter utter Hogwash, that was the thinking in those early days of the Free State where the benefit of hindsight has clearly shown, that we had still so very much to learn at that young time as a nation and did not have the security and lack of fear of allowing our national identity to be stolen by nefarious modern music on the wireless, but it was of its time)

(Above: The first edition of the Donegal Democrat in 1964) 

1944 - January 1 - 80 years ago

Siren warnings

At about 8pm on Christmas night, the sounding of the local siren warned the inhabitants of Ballyshannon of an outbreak of fire.

On inquiry it was learned that a large hayshed to the rere of Barrycourt (Portnason) was ablaze.

Major Myles, with the private fire hose belonging to his firm, Frank Miller of the L.S.F. with the tow hose and An Gardai with a hose were quickly on the scene and in a short while the fire was subdued. A quantity of hay, about one tin, was destroyed. As the hayshed is close to Barrytown it might have proven serious but for the prompt action taken.

In this connection it might be well to refresh the public memory as to the emergency arrangements for the sounding of the alarm.

The signals are as follows:

FIRE - ONE LONG BLAST

GENERAL ALARM (including Red Cross Mobilisation) - TWO LONG BLASTS OF ONE MINUTE EACH WITH HALF-MINUTE INTERVAL.

ALL CLEAR - FIVE SHORT BLASTS.

We advise our readers to cut this out and retain for reference.

1954 - January 1, - 70 years ago

Another C.O.P.

Judging by the non-de-plume he put on the counterfoil - “Another C.O.P.,” the purchaser of a ticket for the Christmas drawing of prizes by the Gaelic League, did not expect to win or was sceptical about the matter.

However, he did win second prize - a bottle of whiskey - at the draw which took place in the Market House, last week.

Winner of the first prize (a turkey) was Mr T. O’Loughlin, Bundoran. The draw, from the financial aspect, was most successful.