Historical Notes
Galway Observer, June 17th, 1922.
Pat Forde, the famous founder of the "Irish World" a paper which did more good for the Irish cause and for the Irish farmers than any, was a native of Galway has need to be proud of Pat Forde. He died some years ago but I believe his family carry on the "World" at its usual strength. Another Galway man in the Press world was the late Colonel Finerty who founded an Irish American paper in Chicago and did doughty service for the old land and the old cause.
That architecturally fine and imposing block of buildings in Galway which is principally taken up by the spacious shop and establishment of Messrs Alexander Moon & Co. is called Eglington Buildings. It was so named by the builder after a popular Lord Lieutenant of the day, Lord Eglington. He was a remarkable man in many respects and has handed his name down to history as the organiser of the famous Eglington tournament — an attempt in these prosaic days to revive the old feudal pageantry. The Queen of Beauty chosen for the occasion was Lady Seymour. Lord Eglington was himself the very type of chivalry and in the tournament he gratified not merely his own taste but the spirit of the age. When he first contemplated the display he expected the cost would not exceed £2,000 but the expenditure exceeded £40,000. Never, before or since, never since the days of chivalry, was there such a display and for his life time after the genial Scotch peer was the most popular man in Scotland.
His house at Eglington Castle was next to Drumlaurig, the great house of reception in Scotland. Every decree of merit or renown might claim welcome there and had not only their claims allowed but the welcome was unlimited — unstinted. Guests remained weeks, even months. His Lordship had his vanities. It was an article of Castle faith, that no one could beat him at billiards, rackets or tennis.
He was a good player but of course there were better and frequently those who were, were amongst his guests, so there was a conflict between their honour and honesty and pride and desire to show off. But these days of hospitality in Scotland and in Ireland are gone with the men of the past and the degenerate descendants and solid successors of today are not likely to fall into such virtues.
The architect of the Colonial Buildings on the opposite side of the street and I believe of Eglington Buildings was Mr. Carson — the father of Sir Edward, now Lord Carson — the greatest curse that Ireland ever endured — the curse of Cromwell is nothing to his and in History the curse of Carson will run it tight. He first raised the flag of rebellion and taught the use of the musket as an argument in politics and bitterly must he be if he has any conscience to regret his indiscretion. He glorified in his revolt. It is treason and sedition, I know, he said, and added significantly to poor weak, backboneless Asquith, do your best. Thousands of lives are to be added to the account then opened and if Ireland is ever lost to England or has to be again conquered, England may thank Carson and his crowd. Ireland was a paradise of constitutionalism, for fifty years it wearily trod the dreary way until he and his merry men in Belfast took to arms and to the bringing in of arms and we know to our bitter loss what all that meant. The lesson of lawlessness taught on the Lagan was followed on the Liffey.
And Carson's mother was a Galway lady, a Miss Lambert of Castle Ellen. When down here as architect his father was courting her and ultimately married her and they went and lived in Harcourt Street in Dublin in not too affluent circumstances. Carson blossomed into politics as a Liberal Club, the nursery of placemen and place—hunter then as now. His first great professional success — he had then changed his politics for Unionism as the more profitable and safer side — was to prosecute Sir Wilfred Blunt at Portumna for the midnight escapade there with William O'Brien.
I am pleased to see that the Very Rev. Father Fahy, S. J. a native of Galway, brother of Mr. Fahy, merchant, and a distinguished member of the great Order, has been appointed Provisional of the Irish provinces. I most cordially congratulate Father Fahy upon this deserved great mark of appreciation and distinction.