Changed Conditions in the Gaeltacht — Promise of New Era
The Connacht Tribune, Saturday, November 8, 1930.
("Connacht Tribune" Special Correspondent)
Getting Things Done at Last
Mr. Fionan Lynch, the Saorstat Minister for Fisheries, accompanied by, Mr. A. Bradley, the Secretary to the Department, is at present making an extended tour of the area known as the Gaeltacht, so that before Dáil Éireann meets on November 19 he may have had an opportunity of seeing for himself the present position and the future needs of the poorest parts of Ireland. The Gaeltacht was defined by the Commission that reported over three years ago as those Irish—speaking and partly Irish—speaking areas that run for varying depths along the west coasts from Donegal to Waterford. The Gaeltacht of today, whilst it conforms roughly to this definition and comprises all the purely Irish—speaking districts also comprises improvised areas which demand the application of special measures for their economic redemption.
The task which the Ministry has set itself is no light one, but so far Mr. Lynch is extremely pleased with the results achieved as a result of the new method that is being tried of getting things done by coming right down to the affected areas rather than through the time worn red tape method.
" What are your general impressions as a result of your visit to Connemara?" I asked Mr. Lynch, as he was on his way to the Kerry Gaeltacht.
"We are departmentally extremely pleased with the results of the experiments being carried out this year," he assured me. "We were particularly pleased with the outcome of the revival of the kelp and carrageen moss industries. In many places the kelp burners refused higher prices to the foreign combine and sold their kelp to our Department. We felt that this was a very good sign of foresight on their part, and it was an encouragement to us to continue to develop the industry. Everybody, I met on my tour was delighted with the success of the carrageen industry, which has a special economy of its own in particular coastal areas.
Housing the First Essential
"As regards housing," continued the Minister, "we felt that it was the first essential towards getting a new outlook for the people. It is, indeed, the first essential towards self—respect. We felt that if a man has a decent house to live in, he has something to live for and will face the world with more courage and spirit. It was gratifying to learn that the people are desirous to put as much of their own labour into the building of their own houses as they possibly can, and thus avoid incurring liability for needless loans. As you are aware, we give an £80 grant in cases where it is required and deserved as an absolutely free gift of the State, with £10 additional for building outhouses. Where there might be an additional loan of £80 required, we found that the builder was desirous of cutting this sum down to £15 or £20 by using his own labour. This is a commendable outlook and shows that these people in Connemara and elsewhere have a full sense of their responsibility for liability for the repayment of the loan.
"We also feel with regard to the housing that at the rate at which it is now being taken up in a very short time we shall have made a considerable impression on the housing conditions in the Gaeltacht. People are being reached by this Act who were never able to avail of former housing facilities. I feel that within twelve months or a little more practically the whole £250,00 voted for Gaeltacht housing will have been earmarked. But I feel that the problem will not then have been anything like solved, and it will be another day's work to provide the further money that will be necessary to complete the job that we have tackled."
An Extensive Tour
The Minister had made a tour of the western Gaeltacht extending over three days, every hour of which was spent in consultation with someone interested in the housing of the revival of industries. Beginning at Costello carrageen station, where he was received by Mr. Seamus Ward, the manager, and Father Hyland, the C.C. of Spiddal to whom he paid grateful tribute for the work he has done, Mr. Lynch also visited the Costello Knitting Factory, and saw Miss Lydon, a girl from the locality who was trained there. The best of the girls at Costello are enabled to earn £1 a week, whilst mere juniors, make 15s, weekly. One of the knitters showed such promise that she probably will be taken on to be trained as a manageress — a fact, Mr. Lynch, remarked, which shows that you have as much intelligence and aptitude for industry in the remotest parts of Connemara as in any other part of the island.
From Costello the minister and his party, which included Mr. Josie Mongan, T.D., journeyed to the wild and barren region of Carraroe, where they were met by Father MacHugh, the parish priest, who revealed the appalling housing conditions that exist there. The Minister pointed out to Father MacHugh the conditions of the Gaeltacht Housing Act, which is already being much availed of in the parish as well as all over that district. About fifteen houses are in course of construction. Grants have already been sanctioned for these; some of them have been already paid.
Homespuns
The party also visited the weaving centre in Carraroe parish. One boy is being trained as a weaver, whilst a man is working there. "We have a couple of extra looms," I was informed, "and it is hoped that within a short period a number of others will come in to learn weaving, for which so much has already been done in Donegal. Two are already working in their own homes weaving homespun's, which are sold to the people in the locality."
The party went on to Tiernee, where Mrs. O'Gorman, the local agent for the kelp, told them she was agent for the kelp, told them she was extremely pleased with the results achieved by the gatherers this year. She also referred to the beneficial results accruing from the Gaeltacht Housing Act in her side of the parish, where twenty houses are now in course of construction.
At Roundstone the party met Father Cunningham, P.P., and they were taken to Ballyconneely kelp station by Father Hennelly, C.C., who has been very helpful in that area, where thirty tons of kelp have been collected and sold.
On Thursday the Minister interviewed Father Adams, P.P., and Father Godwin, C.C., Carna, where about 35 girls are employed in the picking and grading of carrageen," remarked the Minister to me," I discovered that a man from Mason Island who had only himself and his daughter at the picking had received £19 10s, for the moss this year selling it at the recognized rate of 2s, a stone. He also made a small quantity of kelp, which he sold at £2 a ton, obtaining over £9 for it.
At Letterfrack the Minister and Mr. Bradley called upon Father Diskin, P.P., and Father Colgan, C.C., who were extremely interested in the extension of the Gaeltacht Housing Act. Five houses have been already started in their parish.
£150 From Kelp
In the Derryinver district it was found that one family had made £150 from this season's kelp.
Near Cleggan the party met Father O'Malley, C.C., who, like his colleagues elsewhere, wanted houses for the people. Already ten houses have been started there with full grants. Dr. Lavelle, the local medical officer, also met the party and expressed his gratification with the progress of the housing schemes.
Needs of Inishboffin
Father MacDonnell, the Adm., of Inishbofin, crossed to meet the Minster and Mr. Bradley. The administrator expressed his interest in the development of the kelp industry, and raised the question of improved methods of transport between Cleggan and the island. The Minster promised that an instructor would visit the island to develop the kelp industry. At the moment communication between the island and the mainland is maintained by a three—ton sailing boat, and is rather irregular. The Minister promised to have the matter of better transport carefully considered with a view to improvement.
At Clifden the party was most hospitabily received at the Presbytery by the Right Rev. Monsignor McAlpine, P.P., V.G., who as a former member of the Congested Districts Board expressed his warm appreciation of the efforts the Department is making to relieve housing conditions and establish or revive industries. Father Mullarkey, C.C., was also interviewed.
Inland Fisheries
At Oughterard, where the Minister was met by Father McCullagh, Adm., and Mr. F. A. Sweeney, Co. C., the question of a brown trout hatchery and of the development of the inland fisheries generally was discussed. The brown trout hatchery question had been raised with the Department on former occasions. Certain difficulties then presented themselves, one of which was the question of the lease on which the former hatchery stood and also a difficulty in connection with the disposal of the fry.
The Minister requested that the application be renewed when the whole question would be most carefully considered. Before returning to Galway the Minister visited Roscahill parish, where Father Mullins, P.P., was interviewed. The Ross estate is being divided and houses are being erected in this parish, and Father Mullins expressed in this parish, and Father Mullins expressed his appreciation of what was being done, and hoped this work would be continued.