Loughrea Town Commissioners, Minutes, 1959 - 1963

Volume of minutes of proceedings of the Commissioners meetings, includes resolutions such as:-

• ‘Cosmona Sewerage - ‘Letter from Mr M. Carty, T.D., which stated “That the Galway County Council discussed the question of the provision of a proper fair green at Loughrea.  It was unanimously decided to convene a conference in Loughrea, and invite interested parties to attend...”’ (p16)
• ‘Assistant County Manager stated that “29 Tenants of Co. Co. cottages were circularised regarding the increase of four shillings weekly for four years, on their rent to go towards expenses of providing sewerage and water to their cottages and only one tenant replied”’ (p17)
• ‘Closing of Local Railway Branch Mr Barrett queried if there was any truth in the rumour that the C.I.E. were closing down this line?  Mr Carty T.D. that that no decision was made by C.I.E. as he had communicated with Dr. Andrews on the matter and was informed that question of Branch Lines was being examined and no decision had been arrived at…’ (p24) (See also p112, p116, p137, p154; See also LTC/1/18, p4).
• ‘Closing Down of County Home: There were lengthy discussion regarding tthe rumour that the Co. Home was closing down, Mr Dervan, who stated he was speaking in the capacity of Chairman of the Local Development Association asked Chairman if he would agreed to have a deputation appointed to query this matter.
  The Chairman assured the meeting that there was no truth in this rumour as he had letter from the Minister of Health who stated that the Co. Home was not closing down’. (p34)
• Letter from the Minister of Health on the closing down of County Home was read ‘The present position regarding reconstruction of St. Brendan’s Home is as follows: There is as you will recall from mine of the 17^th June a proposal to transfer a number of patients to Merlin Park - a 120 - bed block in Merlin can be made available and it is considered that about 100 residents of St. Brendan’s Home would be suitable for transfer to this improved accommodation.  The exact number of patients whom it would be possible to transfer is a matter which has yet to be determined and it is hoped shortly to arrange a Conference between the appropriate Officers of the co. Council and my Department to discuss this matter, when this has been determined it will then be clear how much accommodation must be provided at St. Brendan’s Home and it will be possible to proceed with detailed planning of the reconstruction of that Institution…’ (pp38-39)
• ‘On the proposition of Mr Devine the Board’s sympathy was extended to the Department of Defence and relatives of the 9 men who were killed in the Congo’ (p52).
• ‘Deputation from South Galway Old I.R.A. Association consisting of Messers Stephen Jordan, P Ryan, P Howley, M Morrissey and Martin Newell attended meeting, …requesting to have Athenry Road, Loughrea renamed ‘Donnellan Road’ in honour of Volunteer Brendan Donnell who died in action 1916….
  The Board paid tribute to the memory of the Late Brendan Donnellan, Rev. Fr Griffin and Jack Oliver R.I.P. and were in agreement with Deputation’s request when it was unanimously decided on the proposition of Mr J Devine, seconded by Mr W Conlan to have ‘Athenry Road’ renamed Donnellan Road…’ (p66) (See also p101 and LTC/1/18, p192, see also LTC/1/18, p100).
• Letter signed by twenty residents of Cosmona was read at the meeting, station ‘We old residents and tenants of the Cosmona Housing Estate wish to protest in the strongest possible terms against the letting of houses in said Estate to persons of the itinerant class.
  We and our predecessors have been tenants there for fifty years and upwards and we have always striven to maintain our houses and premises in accordance with the instructions and specification of the County Council. Four of us have on the recommendation of the Co. Council vested our houses and a number of others are making arrangements to do likewise.  That vesting scheme has now, however, been dealt with a mortal blow as the value of houses has been depreciated since the Co. Council decided to make what has been described in the public Press recently as a “permanent headquarters for itinerants” at Cosmona…..”
  There was lengthy discussion on the matter wen the members agreed with the sentiments expressed in the letter.
  Assistant County Manager also agreed with letter and undertook to have the whole position examined without delay’ (p105).
• ‘Removal of Ambulance: Mr Devine Act. Chairman stated that it was rumoured that the two Ambulances formerly based at St. Brendan’s Home were in future to operate from Ballinasloe which would leave Loughrea & District without an Ambulance.
  This proposed action was strongly condemned by the members present, when it was unanimously decided to request the two local T.D.s to raise the matter in the Dáil with a view to protesting against such action being taken’ (p123).
• ‘Outing for 60 children from local Oranmore: Congratulations were extend to the 14 private care owners who were responsible for the outing also to Loughrea Cottons for organising the Day’s outing to the sea’ (p148).
• Letter from CIE to the Town Clerk stating ‘….Informed you that a further examination into the branch line was being undertaking (sic)….The Board has considered the results disclosed and has decided not to terminate the Rail services on the line at the present time.  It is proposed to substitute diesel working for stream on the 4^th February next….’ (p156, see also p166).