From the archive: Severe water crisis across Mayo in 1967

By Tom Gillespie

WHILE enjoying the comforts today of modern Ireland it is easy to forget the conditions that existed in this country over half a century ago, as will become relevant from the following articles from The Connaught Telegraph.

Fifty-six years ago, in the edition of July 18, 1967, the Connaught issued a heartfelt SOS for families on a gale-whipped island in the Atlantic who sought a better deal from the government.

The 103 islanders on Inishbiggle, off Achill Island, had no roads, piped water or electricity.

In winter they had to rely on rain water. But the position became critical in summer because there are no wells on the island.

The issue was highlighted by Denis Gallagher, a member of Mayo County Council and later to become a Fianna Fáil government minister, who said: “The situation on the island during dry periods is shocking. The islanders have to rely on surface water for drinking and washing.

“Even though they pay the same rates as the rest of the community they have been given none of the essential services. They have no proper harbour or shops, an indifferent postal service and no electricity.”

He continued: “The islanders have to pay for the transportation of livestock to and from the mainland and there is always a danger to the men and animals.

“It is unfair to ask them to pay such high rates, and more aid should be given to them.”

Inishbiggle has one school, with 24 children, but no church, he explained. Clergymen have to travel to the island from the mainland in frail curraghs, across a dangerous channel.

Mr. Pat O’Malley, who operated the island’s radio-telephone, told the Connaught: “Nobody seems to care what happens to us.

“We think the government or Mayo County Council should provide us with the same amenities as mainland communities. After all we are paying the same rates as everyone else.

“Most of the young people have emigrated and refuse to return because of the hardship here.”

Senator Joe Lenehan, a member of the Government Party, said: “I have been shocked by conditions under which the islanders have to live and I intend to press for more government aid for them.”

A week earlier the Connaught highlighted another water crux, when they wrote: A big row has blown up in Co. Mayo - over a village pump.

The entire population of Hollymount (population 100) were threatening to stop paying rates - at £4 5s in the £ they are reckoned to be the highest in the world - unless something is done about the pump.

For housewives are unable to turn the handle of the 100-year-old pump - the only water supply in the village.

And this means that the menfolk have to queue up each morning before they go to work - to fetch a sufficient number of buckets of water to last the day.

But even then not every household has a man to operate the pump.

Take for instance Mrs. Bridget Morris, a 72-year-old widow, who lives alone. She must wait and watch patiently - sometimes for hours - from her cottage window until she sees a man going for water.

Mrs. Morris told the Connaught: “The pump was working fairly well until a fortnight ago when county council workmen repaired it.

“But instead of improving it, they made it worse. Now the handle is so stiff the women can’t turn it. Yesterday I had no water in the house, and I had to wait for several hours for a man to come along to fetch some water for me.”

Another widow, Mrs. Margaret Duignan (35), said: “We’re suffering terribly since the workmen interfered with the pump. I don’t know how we will fare out if this is allowed to continue for the whole summer.”

But not only the housewives are grumbling.

The village’s three pubs need much more water than the private houses. So the publicans have to make several trips to the pump during the day.

Publican Mr. Michael Hamrogue (30) said: “Last year (1966) the water stopped altogether, and we were in a dither because the nearest well is over a mile away.

“Temporary repairs were carried out, and the pump worked fairly satisfactorily until the day of the local elections two weeks ago when council workers put a new washer in it. Now only the men can draw water from it.

“We have been agitating for a new water pump for years because the quality of the water is so bad. We think we are entitled to this at least because we pay the world’s highest rates and get nothing in return.

“We intend to send a deputation to the county council about this whole matter. Now if we don’t get satisfaction we’re determined to stop paying rates until we do.”

And the men are hopping mad that they’ve got to get up at the crack of dawn each day to bring home the water.

Mr. Michael Hamrogue said: “It is ridiculous that the village has only one antiquated pump for a water supply. It means we lose a few hours sleep each morning having to get up early to draw water. We are almost at the end of our tether and we won’t take this treatment much longer.”

A spokesman for Mayo County Council said they were investigating the matter.

LIGHTER NEWS!

And to end on a lighter note, the Connaught reported on March 2, 1967, that a player had qualified to meet himself in the final of the Westport snooker handicap.

The rules provided that, for a 2s 6d entrance fee, competitors could enter two sections. And the winner of each section would meet in the final.

But Patrick Sullivan of Angelus Park was in such tremendous form that he won both sections - and so qualified to meet himself in the final.

Officials at St. Patrick’s Club were snookered. But they decided to hand over the first prize of £5 to Patrick - plus the runner-up prize of £3.