Excursion to Ballinasloe

Western News, August, 16th 1884

On Sunday last the railway company gave an excursion from Athlone to Galway, and another excursion from Galway to Ballinasloe. The consequence was a general exchange of population. The train from Athlone consisted of 29 carriages, and as it took in passengers at each station on its route it was packed when it arrived in Galway. At half—past twelve the excursion arrived here from Galway, and consisted of close on 800 men, women, and children, all members of the Temperance Association in charge of their president, Rev Father Dooley, and Mr J J Kirwan, P L G. They were accompanied by the brass band of the Industrial school under charge of Brother Walsh. The visitors inspected anything that was worth to be seen in town, and went through Garbally Demesne when unfortunately it began to rain, which continued for about half an hour. The band in a break and many of the excursionists in cars proceeded in the evening to Aughrim to see St Ruth's bush. Father Dooley, Mr Kirwan, and all present took a bramble of the bush with them as a trophy. The band played most of the way. The excursionists left for Galway at 6.30., and the order, decorum, decency, and sobriety that characterised this large number of people was truly remarkable. Not the slightest drop of drink could be observed on anyone, and it must be very gratifying to Father Dooley to find that his efforts to put down intemperance are so signally successful.