Railroad to Galway

Galway Vindicator, 5th May, 1847

To the Editor of the Galway Vindicator.

Pall—mall, 28th April, 1847

My Dear Sir — Alas, I write with sorrow, grieved at the untimely death of Thomas B. Martin, my old and valued friend of Ballynahinch Castle, your county member. We do live in awful times, indeed ; however, we must show our sympathy for the sufferings of his poor disconsolate family and friends, by exerting ourselves for the good of the county and town, to which he was so much attached. I fear the government will find serious difficulty in carrying even the small sum they have asked as a loan for one northern and two southern lines, who have 50 per cent of their capital paid up. As that is the case, I am inclined to think that it will be easier to limit the extent of the line to be asked for this session to Ballinasloe, instead of going the whole way to Galway. This will reduce the entire capital from 1 to £500,000, and as far as to Ballinasloe it will be somewhere about £1,200,000, and £400,000 paid ; it will leave still £200,000 to raise before the Company will be in the same position as the Cashel to offer security to the state. I assure you this is a most important consideration, and express that opinion speedily to the directors of the company. Be assured it will not retard, but, on the contrary, expedite the making eventually the entire line, which ought to be made as soon as possible. I regret most exceedingly my proposition, which you were kind enough to publish, before the late assizes, was not followed up by strong resolutions from the juries, and baronial sessions, as it would have strengthened the hands of the friends of Galway if such a declaration had emanated from the assizes. However, that was not done, and now the only thing to be done is to limit the capital and call on the inhabitants that can do it to take shares so as to raise the £200,000, and place the company in a position to borrow £500,000, from the government, which I have no doubt they will lend, when the company is in the same position.

The advantage of assessing the baronies, and county at large, some 6d. In the pound sterling on the poor law valuation for the next 22 years to secure the cost of the underwork, cannot be too strongly pressed ; for besides getting productive employment for thousands of the starving population, it will be the means of reducing the cost of carriage of goods, merchandize, and passengers for the entire county, indeed province. However, I venture to give my opinion, hoping that you will arouse your people high and low to push forward an undertaking fraught with the greatest advantage to the entire Province of Connaught, and the kingdom and empire at large. But there is another advantage by delay. You have doubtless heard it often stated that there are some parties in the county not pleased at the direction the line takes from Ballinsloe, and who think it might with more advantage pass nearer to Loughrea, and that a line from Tuam might be sent off from the neighbourhood of Ballinasloe, or Aughrim. The delay then will have the advantage of seeing how far their objections can be met.

I hope, then, this opinion of mine will have the effect of getting that expressed by the inhabitants of Galway in time. I am now as every impressed with the conviction that the line to Galway ought to be made ; that it will be remunerative, and be of vast advantage to the trade and commerce of the British Empire. The vacancy of your county, I am (under the painful circumstances) happy, is to be confided I understand to Mr. Thomas Burke, of Marble—hill, who will, I am sure, not let the interest of Galway suffer under his care. His father, Sir John Burke, Bart., has always been the staunch friend of Galway, and the advocate with me of the railway to its town.

I am dear, Sir,
Faithfully yours
Thomas Bermingham, J.P.
P.S. To show the advantage of reproductive works and that such can be taken under Mr.