Poverty was very much in evidence in early 'Free State' in Donegal

Poverty was very much in evidence in early 'Free State' in Donegal as is evidenced from the pages of the Donegal Democrat, a century ago. 

Ten years later there were taxes being imposed on sand being taken from local beaches for farmers and anyone else who needed a supply for building. 

Fast forward 50 years and the front page was still throwing out headlines like 'Serious economic situation hits Donegal worst' - a theme that seems to highlight a recurring pattern of neglect that sadly appears to have also run in parallel with the history of this county on many occasions since. 

Donegal Democrat January 25, 1924 - 100 years

Distress in Donegal 

The distress is acute in many parts of Tirconaill goes without saying, and immediate relief in some form that will not partake of the nature of a dole is urgently needed.

An unanswerable case has been made for many parts of the country, but there are instances of genuine hardship within the district owing mainly to lack of employment that could, to some extent, be mitigated by the well to do giving a little work at the present juncture.

No county in Saorstat, perhaps, has its wealth so unequally distributed as the “Fort of the Stranger”.

Palatial mansions owned by successful businessmen and lucky investor are found in close proximity to squalor and destitution.

It is painful to read in the Press the large dividends paid by the Banking and Railway Companies, and the lavish expenditure in State, municipal and other Departments while children are crying with hunger.

Mean Robbery

In the absence of the tenant - a labourer named Mellanify, Fish Lane, Bundoran - a number of disguised men visited his house early on Thursday night, 17th January.

Two men held up the labourer’s wife while the remaining men ransacked the house.

It is said they succeeded in taking away about three pounds cash and about ten pounds of tea.

The outrage is generally condemned especially as Mellaniffy is a hardworking and sober working man.

Members of the Civic Guard were on the spot as soon as intelligence was conveyed to them, but no trace of the robbers could be found.

However it is understood that an important clue to the discovery of the perpetrators has been unravelled.

BELOW: 1943 and we were still in war mode in the depth of rationing if still a neutral player in WW2

January 6, 1924 - 100 years ago

Bundoran Sand tax

Will the Bundoran Urban Council please remove the shilling cart sand tax as a first good deed for the New Year.

The Government claim the sand washed in by the sea: farmers, who have land near the shore, claim the sand, and now the farmers of Leitrim are complaining of the sand tax.

Small farmers in Leitrim have an uphill fight to make ends meet. Their holdings are mostly bog wastes, and it must not be forgotten that quite a large number of Leitrim men have been in the front line trenches during the Fight for Freedom.

Aye! As far back as the days of Parnell they were on the warpath. “Glenade to the Rescue” was a well known slogan in the old days of the land____ and later and today the men of Leitrim are neither afraid nor ashamed to take their place in the national movement.

Bundoran Urban Council was always reasonable in the past, and if at all possible, shall, I feel, renounce the sand at the behest of the Leitrim men, in return they shall have “Glenade to the Rescue” if ever necessity demands it.

January 29, 1944 - 80 years ago

111,629 TONS - Donegal County Council’s Turf Production in 1941

During 1941, Donegal produced 111,629 tons of turf under the Co. Council scheme at a cost of £173 11s 6d of which £156,840 19s 6d was paid in wages.

These figures were contained in a report submitted by the Co Surveyor (Mr T. McMahon) at a meeting of the Co Council on Tuesday.

ABOVE: A different styled front page from a Donegal Democrat of 90 years ago in January 1934

January 29, 1954 - 70 years ago

Ardara cow

A cow, purchased some four months ago by Mr James Colvin, Monargan, Ardara from Mr James O’Donnell, Clogher, Clooney, ten miles away, made her way back to her old home during the past week.

The cow was accompanied by a calf with which she had become friendly on Mr Colvin’s farm. It is the first known case in the district of a cow making such a long journey back to her native health.

Killybegs oil tanker

A large British oil tanker bound ti Sigo from the Clyde, put into the harbour on Tuesday week for shelter during rough weather, It had a large cargo of oil for Messrs. Esso & Co. Sligo.

The tanker resumed teh voyage on the following day.

Pettigo - Ballintra clubs

At a meeting held at Ballintra on Friday night, it was decided to form a Bachelors’ club in the near future. Several young men have promised to attend the next meeting.

Incidentally, a ladies committee was formed and it was proposed to form a spinsters club.

Glenties phone box

The phone box has been installed at Greenan’s post office and presentations are completed for installation of the phone by engineers of the Department.

January 25, 1974 - 50 years ago

Serious economic situation hits Donegal worst

When the Dail resumes early next month, Deputy Liam Cunningham will ask a number of questions bearing on the economic situation, with special reference to soaring prices of fuel and foodstuffs.

Deputy Cunningham states that due to the fact that many of the economic problems facing the county are affecting Donegal to a greater degree than elsewhere, he feels it incumbent on him to table the questions.

A question to the Minister for Agriculture deals with the drop in livestock prices and emphasises the seriousness of this against a steep rise in animal feeding stuff.

ABOVE: 100 year old driving licence belonging to Denis Phelan, County Councillor and business man from Glenties, some of whose papers were donated to the Donegal County Council Archives some years ago.

A further question specifically on the pig situation urges the Minister to take action which would prevent the trend of producers getting out of pigs and resulting in bacon factories and other employees connected with the pig industry.

The small supplies of coal available and the fantastically high prices being charged, prices which have not yet at any rate received sanction by the Department are the subject of questions to the Minister for Transport and Power and the Minister for Industry and Commerce.

The transport problems of the county are pinpointed in a further question which seeks to have the Minister allocate an increased supply of petrol and diesel to oil distributors to compensate for the fact that there is no rail transport, no air transport and very little sea transport for either passengers or goods to and from the county.