Galway Advertiser 1995/1995_02_23/GA_23021995_E1_020.pdf 

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espite some predictable knee-jerk reactions from Ian Paisley and Peter Robinson, there is a general sigh of relief that the joint Government document, released yesterday, has much to offer in this Island's search for peace. Perhaps the only benefit of a quarter century of violence is that a better under standing has grown between the Governments and people of Great Britain and Ireland. No one can deny that despite the British Prime Minister's precarious domestic position, he has given a great deal of time, thought and energy to help a deeply troubled people find a formula to live and grow together. At a brief glance the document and other proposals are imaginative and inspirational which will involve concessions on all sides. The firm recognition that Nationalists can play a full role in all aspects of life in Northern Ireland has to be welcomed; even though some will find the changes proposed in our Constitution a fish bone lodged in the throat. The document maps out a journey which everyone on this Island will undertake. Hopefully we will have the courage to arrive together at the same destination.

Framework for Peace D

COMMENT & LETTERS A n i m a l s t o o suffer in Winter Weather
Dear Editor Animals as well as fanners have been the worst victims of this winter's horrific weather. Many animals dying throughout the region unable to live under the extremes o the weather. Several farm animals are living in horrific conditions across Galway and it is not only in the south. Scores of calls have come he title "Queens in since January from con College Galway' is of some interest in cerned farmers and the field relation to the one hundred officers are struggling to and fiftieth anniversary of keep on top of the situation. University College. We totally understand the It reminds us of Queen Victoria from whose the farmers plight who are vic name came. As the building tims these torrential rains, began it was to provide but this is not a problem important employment dur resulting from this years ing the worst of the famine bad weather although this years though the Queen her has intensified the problem, self was sparing enough in this problem has continued her own charity. Indeed her first offer of a subscription to to grow since the late famine relief was rejected 1980's. because "it was too little." The last few winters have So she had to increase it proved to be exceptionally before it was accepted. Be that as it may it is interesting wet and indications from to note that there was an ear the met office would sug lier institution in Galway gest that this years weather described as the Queen's is here to stay as climate College. It was not a univer changes occur. We wel sity but an ecclesiastical come Gerry Hoades (for body. In this week in 1585 in the mer Chairman of the IFA) report of an enquiry initiated recent statements that farm by the Lord Deputy, Sir John animals should be kept Perrot it was stated that "the indoors as it would be cruel warden and vicars of the to do otherwise but many Queens college in Galway, farmers simply do not have time out of mind, are seized the financial capability to in right of their said college of five-eight parts of the ... build farmhouses and ani mals are left out as a result. tithes" The Queen in question was, Cattle and calves knee of course, Elizabeth! and the deep, sometimes chest deep college was in f act the wardenship and the Collegiate in waters and excretion is not uncommon and they are Church of St. Nicholas. There are some interesting left like this for months. parallels between the policy The GSPCA and many set out in that sixteenth cen farmers across Galway tury report and governmental share the opinion that hav attitudes in regard the Queen's college two and a ing animals under these half centuries later. In both conditions is not accept cases there was a great desire able. The IFA have proved to make Roman Catholics on many occasions to be attend the institutions. In well able to call for grants Elizabeth's time the pressure was overt. Those suspected in building farmhouses. The present fanning sys of not attending the church services according to the tem is intensifying this state religion were to "be major problem, farmers are deeply fined" and otherwise encouraged to overstock the punished. Those were "use any other service prohibited land through headage pay by God and Her Majesty's ments and tax incentives in laws" were also to be sought the recent budget. The land out. In Victorian times these simply isn't there for the kind of laws were long gone amount of cattle being but there was a residue of Anti-Catholic feeling. This reared on it and as a result was reflected in the Queen's farm animals find them selves in this situation, rain College system The charter, though based cr no rain. on that of the recently estab Restaurants throughout the lished London University, city are subject to regular deliberately omitted a clause checks by the western allowing recognition of course in other institutions health boardt end of food for degrees. This was done to chain) and if the owner does prevent Catholic colleges not meet the suiugcut rules taking advantage of the sys- laid down, they are simply closed. Yet the fanning P.O'Nefll industry or more important ly the beef industry is under no control, health wise or welfare wise whatsoever. There is at present checks on animals receiving cer tain vaccines and certs drawn up as proof, however there is no control on the amount of cattle per farmer who have small amounts or inadequate land, similarly there are no checks on whether or not animals are treated humanly. for the consumer and it cer tainly is not the way mother nature intended, the whole system is totally commer cial and animal welfare is thrown out the window. Local guards , vets and farmers have expressed deep concern at this on going and intensifying problem. The GSPCA intends to meet with all Galway's TD's in the near future to I would be of the opinion discuss this sad situation.. that cattle in these condi Yours faithfully tions would not be healthy Jonathan Harris

Queen's Colleges, Galway

T

Where's Washington's Gift?

A Legal War While People Suffer T
he rallying round the City Manager at this week's Council Meeting was a welcome if somewhat belated show of public support in view of his threatened imprisonment for alleged contempt. On Monday evening most Councillors expressed their appreciation of the Managers efforts on their behalf to try and establish a Traveller Handstand in the Bishops Field, Lr. Salthill. No one would deny that the Lower Salthill residents have not every right to con test City Council decisions in the courts; but many people would question the wisdom of an attempt to have the City Manager committed to prison. It was shown that the Manager had not done anything wrong; but had correctly proceeded step by step carrying out the wishes of a majority of the Councillors. It is a pity this show of solidarity did not come sooner. There was a period when the Manager appeared isolated in his difficulties, and only those very few Councillors who oppose the Lr. Salthill site were vocal. Again they have every right to oppose certain courses of action they do not agree with; but one wonders for how long should this opposition continue? There is some understandable annoyance amongst City Councillors that there is still a very small minority opposing the location of the city's sewage treatment plant on Mutton Island. It was a decision taken after some fifteen years of reports, debates and enquiries. There is a feeling that once the decision was agreed then the Council as a whole should accept the Majority decision and move ahead. Similarly, the decision to proceed with the handstand was taken by very sub stantial majority of Council members. It can be argued that a similar acceptance by those who vcted against but who abide by the democratic choice should close ranks at least in support of their Chief Executive the City Manager and move the situation forward. No one knows the outcome of the legal war being waged by the Lr. Salthill res idents against the City Council. It is a pity that it has come to this. There are genuine fears amongst those resi dents; yet there were genuine attempts made to calm those fears. Aid. Michael Leahy reminded the Council this week of the realities of the Hillside settlement where some 35 Galway families are living in Third World conditions in atrocious winter weather. It is intolerable for them, for the residents of Castlepark and for the reputation of our city as a whole.

Dear Editor, In the course of 'Lady Gregory and the Fate of Coole Park', published in your issue of January 26 last, it was stated that a 'well-known musician, singer, local historian and primary school teacher bought the extraordinary cab inet containing examples of Amercian species of birds that President George Washington presented to Col. Persse, one of Lady Gregory's ancestors'. That account is inconect. In an article, 'Colonel William Persse', published in the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society Journal in 1963, it is recorded - citing two members of the Persse family - that 'the case referred to contained about a dozen small birds mounted on a branch,, under a glass dome, the whole standing about two feet in height...in about the year 1913 the glass was acci dentally broken and the birds rapidly decayed. The remains were relegated to the attic and must have perished in the fire which destroyed Roxborough House on August 2, 1922.' Yours faithfully, James Ryan Newcastle J.O'C. replies: I am familiar with the article you refer to, in which the fate of Washington's gift is presented. I am also familiar with a biography of Lady Gregory, published after the GAHS Journal (unfortunately I do not have the book to hand to quote the reference), in which the author disputes the Persse account. AH I can say is that I have seen the Washington bird cabinet myself and it tallies with some of the description given by the two members of the Persse family: it contains at least a dozen birds mounted* however, on more than one branch. Also the cabinet is larger than that described by the two Persse family mem bers. The cabinet is roughly square and sits on four stur dy legs about a yard off the ground. As this unique bird cabinet is in private hands I did not feel I could mention the location or the name of the owner without their permission. However if Mr. Ryan would like to contact the paper I would be happy to see if indepen dent verification could be arranged.

T I WE . HS EK

Every City Electoral ward has agreed to take a handstand to help these people. Because of objections and protests it has taken an astonishing eight years to find a site in the South Ward. The majority on the City Council regard the Bishops Field as the key to Traveller settlement: There has to be some acceptable solution to the present IMPASSE. Hopefully it will be soon.