West of the Shannon

The Connacht Tribune, September 30, 1933

Tuam has secured the only beet sugar factory to be established West of the Shannon. Every well—wisher of Connacht will cordially congratulate this vital North Galway township upon the fact. Apart from the circumstance that Tuam has a water supply with sufficient area for the site and suitable surrounding land for growing the beet, an examination of the map reveals that it is favourably situated to draw its supplies from Athenry, Ardrahan, Gort and parts of Clare on the South; Mountbellew, Ballygar, Glenamaddy and Roscommon on the West, and the counties of Mayo and Sligo on the North. Thus in so far as these areas are suitable for the cultivation of beet, it will afford them convenient and central service.

Whilst County Galway as a whole may congratulate itself heartily upon having secured a factory — felicitations in which we believe even the rival claimants will cordially join — hard work remains to be done to satisfy those who are in control of the industry that the site has been wisely chosen and that the necessary 13,000 acres of beet to keep the factory supplied will be available. The future of the factory is dependent upon adequate supplies. We feel sure in this connection it will not be a difficult matter to organise and ensure the co—operation of all farmers throughout the West who possess land suitable for beet growing. Thirteen thousand acres under beet represents the considerable area of twenty square miles. It is obvious, therefore, that the advantages that the factory will bring for the farmers must be spread over substantial distances. This is all to the good. It will yield a test of the capacity and enterprise of our farmers to make the utmost of a great opportunity.