A Matter of Record: A look at the Donegal Democrat History archive down the years

This week takes us from a 1923 to 1963 including a lucky local man falling between a boat and the pier in Donegal Town, then driving straight home with his lorry full of goods, political prisoners being released in Bundoran, a famous Sheffield United player born in Ballintra, the revival of the Ballyshannon Show after a 45 years paper and a hero athlete who rescued six sheep from the extensive River Finn floods of 1963, writes Michael McHugh.

1923 November 23 - 100 years ago

Donegal (Town) District Council

At the half yearly meeting of the District Council on Saturday tenders with a few exceptions, were received for the maintenance of all the roads out for contract.

The members present were:- Messrs Patrick Barry, P.C. Chairman presiding, Bernard Friel, Charles McDaid, Paddy Gallagher, Patrick McCahill, Joseph McDaid, James Boyle, Hugh Cassidy and Michl Gallagher.

Narrow escape

A young man named Crawford who carried on a hardware business in Drumcroil near the village of Ballintra had an unpleasant experience and a rather narrow escape from drowning last week.

At one of the quays he was loading a motor lorry with coal from a streamer which was being discharged for Mr John Gallen, The Diamond when he fell between the quay and the boat-house into the tide which was fairly high.

Cartmen and sailors quickly rushed to the rescue and had him taken from his perilous position.

(Above: It was an early start to Christmas as far back as 100 years ago in the Democrat of November 1923)

Bundoran frost & crops

A slight frost has set in and, at last, a few dry days have come. A large proportion of the hay and potato crops are out still, and there seems a chance now for the farmers. No living person remembers such a wet harvest - July to December almost. Of course more than half the crop is lost.

Hunger Strike

Posters condemning the policy pursued towards the Political Prisoners on hunger strike are exhibited in prominent places, and handbills printed in red are plentifully strewed about the streets.

Death

1933 November 25 - 90 years ago

Ballintra - Billie Gillespie

Billie Gillespie, the famous international football player, who at present manages Derry City team, has received a £650 cheque from Sheffield United as a return for his benefit match two seasons back, according to a note in the “Independent”.

Billie was born in the old R.I.C. barracks at Ballintra, where his father was Sergeant.

Paul Twyning produced in the Rock Hall Ballyshannon

On Wednesday night the Ballyshannon Premier Players presented “Paul Twyning” (George Shields in the Rock Hall to a full house. As a matter of fact the ordinary seating was insufficient and those who came late had to be content with seats on forms in the passage.

This congestion was caused by the anxiety of people not alone from Ballyshannon and district, but from outlying towns to see the Players in the first of this season’s productions.

(Above: Billy Gillespie, was a famous soccer player in his day, who was born in Ballintra)  

November 27 1943 - 80 years ago

Editorial - Statesmanship (WW2/Emergency & why neutrality)

By a miracle of statesmanship we have been spared the full horrors of war, though its repercussions have been and will be severe.

Our geographical position is theoretically a fortunate one - at least measured by the standard of pre-aviation days - but in actual practice insularity is no guarantee of immunity. We have acted on realistic principles in this instance.

(Above: It was your last opportunity back in November 1933)

The same yarn was told us in 1914 and instead of full independence we got partition.

Those who feel inclined for crusading have their remedy. We hear a lot about the loyalty of a certain section. In reality, the jingoism consists largely of staying at home and occupying “cushy” jobs. Statistics are not required. You can see the heroes at home. They get the jobs of those who are out fighting. The allocation of labourer’s is theirs.

On November 11th, 1918 (though of military age) hundreds of these slackers celebrated the armistice. Those who came home (if not permanently wounded) mostly drew the dole.

The land fit for heroes was as remote and inaccessible as Atlantis.

November 27, 1953 - 70 years ago

Ballyshannon Show to be revived

After a lapse of 45 years Ballyshannon Agricultural Show is to be revived and final arrangements towards making the proposals a reality will be made at a public meeting on the courthouse on Tuesday, 1st December.

The decision was made at a meeting of a special committee of the Erne Valley Young Farmers’ club in the technical school on Saturday night, Mr M. McGrath, chairman presiding.

November 22, 1963 - 60 years ago

Flood damage was greater than thought

Last week’s floods in many parts of Donegal which followed heavy rains were the worst experienced in many years and more damage was caused than it was thought at first.

From Stranorlar our correspondent writes that the need for an embankment scheme for the River Fin was sharply emphasised during the floods, which converted the entire valley into an expanse of water,

Itr now appears that some corn stacks and potato pits near the river at Ballybofey were swamped for a time, one farmer losing about 12 tons of potatoes.

Mr Pat O’Donnell of Dunwiley Stranorlar, a well known high jumper and all round athlete performed the marvellous feat of swimming into the flood to rescue six lambs which were in imminent danger of being swept away.