1 Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Contents

Foreword ...... 3 Establishing an Urban Council ...... 4 First meetings of the new Urban District Council ...... 8 First Election of Buncrana UDC ...... 14 War and Political issues ...... 15 Public Health and Sanitation ...... 25 Water Supply ...... 33 Housing ...... 36 Roads and Transport ...... 42 Public Lighting ...... 47 Planning and Development ...... 50 Valuation and Rates ...... 52 Recreation ...... 55 Fishing and Harbour ...... 56 Curious facts from the Archives ...... 58

Buncrana Urban District Council members and officials, 1945 - 1950: Buncrana’s Archives Collection ...... 62 Front Row, left to right: P. Doherty, J. McLaughlin, F. J. Kildea (Chairman), Chairpersons/Mayors of Buncrana ...... 64 W. J. Kavanagh, S. D. MacLochlainn (County Manager). Back Row, Acknowledgements ...... 70 left to right: W. J. Doherty, M. Gallinagh, E. Doherty, P.J. Doherty (Town Clerk), C. McNulty, E. Doherty, W. Doherty (Town Surveyor). Contact Details ...... 72

1 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History foreworD

Buncrana Town Council celebrated its 100th anniversary in March this year, two months prior to its dissolution. The last century and the first decade and a half of this century have seen huge changes in the country and in our county, socially, politically and economically. Buncrana Urban District Council/Town Council has played a very signifi cant role in effecting growth, development and positive change in the town of Buncrana and its hinterland. Buncrana, the principal town in the peninsula, is today an attractive and bustling seaside town with a thriving tourism industry. The town enjoys a wealth of amenities and natural attractions and regularly hosts a variety of cultural activities and events.

The Buncrana Urban District/Town Council Archives collection, listed and maintained by County Archives, is one of the most important of such collections in the country. It is of local and national

Buncrana Main Street, May 2014 historical signifi cance, and it is vital that the collection should be preserved and made accessible to the public, present and future generations. This publication summarises the early history of the Council, showcases some of the most historically interesting documents from the Archives Collection, and gives the reader some idea of the huge variety and extent of the work of Buncrana Council members and staff for the benefi t of Buncrana over more than a century.

Peter McLaughlin Buncrana Town Mayor, 2013 - 2014

2 3 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Establishing an Urban Council

council or parliamentary elections. Establishing an Overall the Act was a positive development, handing to general Urban Council ratepayers- farmers, merchants, shopkeepers etc, the power to run local matters, to develop their own The reforming Local Government abolished. For the first time, towns, villages, and () Act of 1898 was historic under this new legislation, the rural districts. for a number of reasons. Under general male population could However, the town of Buncrana the Act County Councils were vote and stand for election. Even did not have its own full local established, including Donegal women gained a modicum of the authority until January 1913. , and also Rural franchise, they were now allowed Prior to this, operating under the and Urban District Councils. The to stand for election and to vote, 1878 Public Health (Ireland) Act old Grand Juries, regarded as though only in district council and the 1898 Local Government corrupt, inefficient and elitist, were elections, not yet in county Act, Buncrana Public Health Committee, a subcommittee of Inishowen Rural District Council, Buncrana Public Health Committee was the sanitary authority in the Minute book front cover town. The Public Health Committee was busy, its main duties including the establishment of Buncrana Main Drainage Outfall Works, monitoring and restriction of water supply, maintaining of water pipes, water connections, repair of roads, streets and footpaths, sewerage works, street lighting and dealing with public health ‘nuisances’ or ‘sanitary defects’ on private property.

Local Government Board Rules governing the management of Urban District Councils, 1899 4 5 2 3 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Establishing an Urban Council

Buncrana was a short-lived public authority. It held its inaugural meeting in January 1913 and its final meeting in March 1914. During its brief existence, it dealt with town valuation and rates, establishing a town court, salaries and accounts, local elections, street cleaning and, above all, making a case for full urban status. The campaign to improve Buncrana’s urban status was similar to the campaign in at the same time. A petition by local government electors to have Petition to establish Buncrana Town Commissioners as an Urban District Buncrana constituted as an urban Council, 1913 sanitary district, along with a resolution passed on the issue A Provisional Order establishing by the Town Commissioners, was the Urban District of Buncrana submitted to the Local Government and transferring powers from Board of Ireland. This overseeing and body agreed to hold a local Inishowen Rural District Council inquiry on the matter. The inquiry to the Urban District Council was took place in Buncrana on 14 made on 5 December 1913. Three August 1913, following which months later, on 14 March 1914 a decision was made to grant an Order was made constituting Buncrana the much coveted Buncrana as an urban authority. urban status. (These documents are now part of the Archives collection.) Local Government Board Order establishing Buncrana as an Urban District, 14 March 1914 6 7 2 3 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History First meetings of the new Urban District Council first meetings of the new Urban District Council

The inaugural meeting of the following year. Their first resolution newly established Buncrana was passed unanimously, it was Urban District Council was held announced: in the Grand Jury room of the Courthouse in Buncrana on 6 ‘that this the first meeting of the April 1914, a Monday. Members new Urban Council of Buncrana at the meeting were Isaac John desire to express the sorrow of Trew Colquhoun who was Vice its members after the great loss Chairman, John McLaughlin, John Ireland has sustained by the death Farren, Joseph Doherty, John of the esteemed patriot and poet Doherty, John McConnell, Patrick T. D. Sullivan [Nationalist MP] Minutes of the Cox, Humphrey Campbell, and to extend to the relatives of first meeting of William Kavanagh and Michael the late Mr Sullivan our heartfelt Buncrana Urban District Council, McDaid. Other members not sympathy.’ 6 April 1914 present that day were William Doherty and the Chairman Assistant County surveyor Edward clerk of the new Council at a was Michael McGlinchey. All O’Callaghan was appointed salary of £50 per annum. He were formerly members of the Buncrana Town surveyor at was also appointed executive predecessor body, Buncrana a salary of £20 per annum. sanitary officer at a yearly Town Commissioners. An election The sitting clerk, Charles P. salary of £10 (though the latter would not be held till the O’Callaghan was appointed post subsequently had to be

8 9 2 3 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History First meetings of the new Urban District Council

advertised by order of the Local urban district at a salary of £8 per A Committee was appointed to agreed to refund ‘irrecoverable Government Board.) Denis annum.’ Dr Nelson died later estimate the rates for the ensuing rates’ to the rate collector. The Doherty was appointed caretaker that year and was replaced year. The ‘total consolidated town first water supply request (of of water works and sewerage for by Dr James McCormick. For rate’ made for 1914 – 1915 was many more), in this case to have £24 per year and sub sanitary practical reasons, the UDC shared 59 pence in the pound. The rate a water pipe brought from the officer for the urban district at some posts with Inishowen Rural was adopted formally on 11 main water pipe to the centre of £10 per annum. Dr Neil Nelson District Council, including Dr May 1914. A rate collector, Alex the new tennis court was granted was to be appointed Medical McCormick’s position. Cassidy was appointed on 2 June. to Captain W. D. Wall, at the Officer of Health ‘for portion of expense of the Tennis Club. the dispensary district inside the The Council’s first meeting included a decision not to participate in the At the second ‘ordinary’ meeting Joint Committee of 2 June it was decided to try to for Technical Instruction scheme acquire the greens on the foreshore for the academic year August (‘known as the hut green and the 1914 to 31 July 1915. The fishing green’) and to employ Council ‘did not wish to take bathing boxes attendants. action, being only a newly (Interestingly it was also decided constituted body but would like to that no action was required to be know if they could participate in taken on implementing compulsory the scheme at a future date should education.) At this meeting it was they desire to do so.’ Also at this decided to take over the ‘dumping meeting, the Council received ground’ at Inch View, and an from the Local Government agreement was entered into with Board the ‘Certificate under Seal’ the landowner on 6 July. One of constituting the Town of Buncrana the Council’s first Roads functions from 1 April. The new Council was, following a request from also received a letter from the Captain McClintock, to agree to Statement of salaries paid to staff of Buncrana Urban District Council, 1919 Local Government Board with its take over the road in Victoria Park. revised Valuation lists for the year It was also decided to appoint a for the urban district. It was also shops inspector under the Shops

10 11 2 3 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History First meetings of the new Urban District Council

Act of 1912. He was Peter not be reached. One of the McLaughlin, appointed before more difficult problems was the the July 1914 meeting, and 33 labourers’ cottages built ordered to enforce the closure within the urban area by the of shops ‘of the unexempted RDC. The new UDC now had trade’ from one pm one day of responsibility for maintenance the week. By all accounts Mr and rent of these homes, though McLaughlin went about his duties in its earliest meetings it had diligently, for at a meeting on 10 resisted this. Another issue was May 1915 he reported that the the lighting of Buncrana’s town former chairman Mr Michael streets, which Buncrana UDC McGlinchey (who attended at eventually agreed to take over. this meeting) had violated the The matters in dispute went to Shops Act law on three occasions. arbitration at the end of 1914. The inspector recommended prosecution of all defaulters under The divvying out of Roads the act. The Council agreed. Letter from Town Clerk, Buncrana responsibilities was also an Local Government Board Order Urban District Council, regarding regarding Buncrana’s boundaries, 1919. the Shops Act, 3 March 1915 issue, not it seems resolved Immediate action taken by the new till 1919 when an agreement which accompany the agreement Council included the appointment and Londonderry County Councils, was made between Donegal set out each district’s area of of a subcommittee to work with the there were inevitably a number County Council, responsibility. (These maps form Town Surveyor. Their duties included of issues relating to one another’s UDC, Buncrana UDC and part of the Archives collection). cleaning and repair of streets, water boundaries, some of which Bundoran UDC to ‘maintain and A document issued by the Local works and sewerage works. resulted in arbitration. Several keep in good order and repair Government Board in 1919 in months after the establishment to the satisfaction of the county preparation for the local elections Given the proliferation of local of the new Urban Council, surveyor all such main roads of the following year details the authorities at that time - Buncrana and following several meetings within their own district as area which the urban district Urban District Council, Inishowen between the new Council and set down under Public Bodies encompassed. Board of Guardians, Inishowen Inishowen Rural District Council, Order 1904 and Order 1906’. Rural District Council, Donegal agreement on major issues could Ordnance Survey map extracts

12 13 2 3 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History First Election of Buncrana Urban District Council / War and Political issues First Election of War and Buncrana Urban Political issues District Council

World War One broke out in where troops were stationed. The first Annual Meeting of the said John McConnell and August 1914. Buncrana UDC The LGB also deemed it a UDC was held on 23 January Patrick Porter withdrew their did not appear to take an active responsibility of each sanitary 1915. At this meeting a new candidature and the number interest in the war in its early authority and the medical officers Chairman, a solicitor working of remaining candidates being stages though the UDC agreed of health to ‘see to the sanitary in and member of the equal to the number of persons in late September 1914 to assist arrangements of the district and , Isaac John to be elected namely four. in the accommodation of Belgian troops in order to prevent any Trew Colquhoun, was elected. Therefore the candidates declared refugees (Council minutes of infectious diseases that might In terms of the elections it was duly elected as Urban District 5 October 1914 refer). The arise.’ (Minutes, 7 December 1914). reported by the Returning Officer: councillors for the urban district importance of and of Buncrana in the year 1915 the seaside resort of Buncrana During 1915 officers and soldiers ‘That a no contest election took were J. T. Colquhoun, Humphrey during World War One became of the Royal Fusiliers and place this year, the members who Campbell and John Farren. evident when Admiral Jellicoe the Royal Engineers were stationed retired by rotation [were] Messrs The new members made their moved his British grand fleet HQ at Luddan Camp and Swan’s Humphrey Campbell, Isaac J. T. Declaration of Acceptance of from Scapa Flow to Lough Swilly. Mill, Buncrana, and during Colquhoun, John Farren and John Offer with the exception of Also during the early stages of that time Buncrana UDC had McConnell. That the candidates George Baldrick who failed to the War the Local Government reason to serve notices on their that were duly nominated for the do so.’ Board informed Buncrana UDC Commanding Officer to ‘abate election were George Baldrick, (and other local authorities) nuisances on the White Strand.’ Campbell, Isaac J. T. Colquhoun, There was a three year rotation that cooperation was expected (Minutes of 1 November 1915). John Farren, and John McConnell on local authority elections. between military and civil The UDC was also informed that and Patrick Porter and that the authorities during the war in areas Luddan Camp personnel had been

14 15 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History War and Political issues dumping rubbish in its own However it was not just general On 1 November 1915 the Council dumping ground which was cooperation that was expected resolved to support the recruitment outside its jurisdiction, and warned by the military during their time campaign of Major Baillie. that prosecution would follow in Buncrana. In its first couple of should this practice continue. years before the extent of the horror The military huts were eventually (1 May 1916). Tensions also and bloodshed of the battlefields taken over by the new Free State developed over problems such as was understood and before Department of Defence in the over use by the military of water efforts by the British government 1920s. In May 1953 victims of a and excessive speed of military to impose conscription, support fire were housed there for a time. vehicles. for the war was strong in Ireland. For many nationalists, support for the war meant the attainment of home rule after the war. On 22 October 1915 Major Bailie, whose headquarters was now Lough Swilly Garrison, Buncrana, wrote to the Buncrana UDC, stating that he was placed in charge of military recruiting arrangements for Donegal, and requesting the UDC to bring the matter as a resolution to their next meeting, so that he could ‘secure the warm cooperation of the councillors each in his own district, in order that they may personally visit and talk to the Letter from Royal Engineer Office, Lough eligible men and explain this fearful Swilly , to Buncrana Circular letter Urban District Council, requesting war and Ireland’s share therein..... appealing for supply of water to the military base, 1 letters are being sent to every release from January 1915 prison of James man from the Central Office...’ Larkin, June 1920

16 17 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History War and Political issues

During Ireland’s War of the UDC to declare allegiance Independence local authorities to the Dáil, stating that if it were urged by the revolutionary does ‘it will become the duty government in Dublin to recognise of the Department to give all it and to cease associating with the assistance in its power British governmental departments. towards remedying the existing condition of its affairs and to At a Special Meeting held on supervise and control its activities 12 January 1921, Buncrana in the future.’ Urban District Council could not decide not to send minutes to At the same meeting the Council the Local Government Board, opted to ‘rescind all previous and the resolution was split. resolutions and directions Some time later, rate books and authorising the recognition of the financial documents were stolen English Local Government Board from the clerk of the Council by and that from this date all our masked men, and the Council business will be conducted under was threatened and told not to the authority and supervision of support Britain (1 May 1921). No the Local Government Department meetings were held between May of Dáil Éireann and that the and October during which a Truce clerk be instructed to forward this was declared between Britain and resolution to the Local Government Ireland and preliminary talks held Department of Dáil Éireann.’ The in London between Eamon de Council had finally decided to Valera and Lloyd George. reject the authority of the Local Government Board and embrace At the next meeting of the the revolutionary government in Council on 3 October 1921 a Dublin.

Order issued by Dáil Éireann banning letter from the Department of Local importation of British goods, 1921 Government, Dáil Éireann, urged

18 19 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History War and Political issues

collectors’ books and documents, record their votes in favour of bank receipts and a Council such ratification.’ ‘ledger’. The new regime in Ireland In October a delegation of TDs included the disbandment of the went to London to negotiate a Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) full settlement with the British and the creation of Ireland’s Government. After protracted Civic Guard. A dearth of talks, the Anglo-Irish Treaty was effective communication between signed on 6 December. Three local authorities and the new weeks later, at a special meeting government on what exactly the on 28 December 1921 Buncrana latter’s role was in relation to Letter from Dáil Éireann to Buncrana UDC emphatically declared for local authorities is evident by Urban District Council, acknowledging ratification of the Anglo-Irish the request to the town clerk in its support, 12 October 1921 Treaty as the resolution passed at February 1923 to ‘interview the However Buncrana UDC was still this meeting indicates: Civic Guards and ascertain if Minutes of Buncrana Urban District unhappy about the seizure earlier they would enforce the Council Council, resolving to support Dáil that year by the IRA of its records. ‘That this Urban Council, Bye Laws and also…regulations Éireann, 3 October 1921 At the Council’s meeting on 23 believing that the plenipotentiaries of traffic and the selling of sheep A letter from Dáil Éireann to November the clerk reported that secured all that was essential and on the public street.’ Execution Buncrana UDC on 12 October the books seized by the IRA had more than was thought possible of rates decrees was another acknowledged the Council’s been returned by the IRA and that at the conferences in London, issue of controversy in 1923, decision to terminate its connection an inspector from Dáil Éireann declare for the ratification of the as the Minister for Home Affairs with the Local Government Board had been present to examine Treaty without further delay and felt it was not a duty of the Civic ‘and deciding to function in future them. The clerk reported that the urge An Dáil to establish forthwith Guard to enforce such decrees under this Department.’ The battle returned items ‘were in a very bad the Provisional Government but the district justice believed it of wills between the two bodies condition… some of them with provided for thereunder and get was, and that ‘special bailiffs do was over though by this stage the the backs off and leaves torn out.’ to business without further delay not do such work properly.’ War of Independence itself had in Unfortunately some had not been [sic] speech making and we effect ended with the July Truce. returned at all, including rate hereby direct our six deputies to

20 21 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History War and Political issues

One of the main legacies of the Malicious injury claims came For example, Harry P. Swan, the War of Independence/Civil War under the remit of the Council renowned historian from Buncrana period for local authorities was anyway but increased greatly and clerk of Buncrana Petty dealing with malicious injury claims during the revolutionary period. Sessions, claimed compensation by individuals and institutions. for destruction to an encyclopaedia and library following a fire which destroyed the courthouse in Buncrana on 16 July 1920. His case was to be heard on 21 October. Interestingly, he was represented by Colquhoun and King, solicitors, Derry. Colquhoun was also a Councillor on Buncrana UDC. An application was also made to the county court in by Thomas Swan for compensation for loss sustained as a result of damage to furniture in the courthouse and premises in Buncrana on the same night. Partial list of claimants for compensation under the Damage to Property Act 1923 Applications for damage to on 30 June 1921. Documentation property during this period also surviving in the Archives relating included a claim for compensation to this unfortunate man’s murder for criminal injury to the property includes an application for Application for of the North West Golf Club compensation for ‘murder of a compensation for damage in Buncrana. More seriously judge, magistrate, police constable to property by a farmer, Owen McCarron of of the naval, military or air force Harry P. Swan, Hilltown, Ballymacarry, Lower or civil service or other person’. 14 September 1920 , was murdered at his home The application was to the

22 23 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History War and Political issues / Public Health and Sanitation head constable, R.I.C. Barracks, on 17 October 1921. Documents Buncrana, to Bernard McFadden, also include the statement of Public Health Secretary, Donegal County Council Sergeant T. Shanley to the Clerk, and to Charles Callaghan, Clerk, Buncrana UDC, stating that Mr and Sanitation Buncrana UDC. The case was to McCarron was ‘shot by military be heard at the County Court patrol on 30 June 1921’. One of the main issues of the new collection of refuse (known UDC was the improvement of initially as ‘domestic scavenging’), public health and public facilities, provision of regulated burial as it had been for its predecessor grounds, and abatement of Buncrana Health Committee. The local domestic or commercial Public Health (Ireland) Act of 1878 environmental hazards described gave urban authorities power to as ‘nuisances’. Buncrana Urban improve living conditions through District Council was involved from the implementation of better access the start in all of the above and to clean water, sewerage schemes, in fact these matters formed the street cleaning, major part of its activities.

Extract from letter from Rose McGinity, school teacher, to Buncrana Public Health Committee concerning clean RIC Report on death supply of water of Owen McCarron for Ballymacarry of Buncrana, 22 national school, September 1921 29 May 1913

24 25 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Public Health and Sanitation

Monitoring the sanitary conditions other refuse is deposited in a instance but in my opinion the The conditions existing at the in which people lived was a corner without a cover.’ The state of some of the houses is rear of these houses are a major and continuous task in the unsanitary condition of the Market a danger to the public health disgrace to civilisation and the earliest years of Buncrana UDC. Square was a major public health and the Urban Council should Urban Council should be called Both landowners and tenants issue for the new Council in 1914. insist on the necessary repairs upon to take immediate steps of properties in the town were But the living conditions in housing, being carried out. The sanitary to safeguard the health of the often called upon both formally mostly privately owned, was of arrangements are absolutely district by having the public and informally to remedy matters paramount importance. primitive and would not be health laws complied with both which were of a public health tolerated by any efficient sanitary by landlord and tenant.’ concern. The UDC’s duties included On 7 January 1924 a report authority. There are dry closets receiving complaints, following from a Local Government attached to 15 of the houses. up with inspection of properties, inspector Mr Sean O’Farrell on The remainder have no closets negotiation with landlords and 26 houses built ’20 years ago’ at all. The dry closets have an tenants, and enforcement of in Park Avenue was read out at open cesspool at the rear and are ‘abatement of nuisances’ orders. the monthly Council meeting. He about 12 feet from the house. The Descriptions of nuisances reported reported that he had visited the closets are in an indescribably at meetings tended to be graphic, estate at the request of tenants filthy condition and the cesspools for example, ‘accumulation there, that the ‘roofs are leaking’, are full of liquid sewerage. The of manure and garbage in ‘windows appear to be leaking’ in contents of the closets are dumped connection with the keeping of some, walls of some ‘seem to be on a refuse heap about 12 yards pigs’, ‘accumulation of manure, porous’, ‘tenants informed me that distant from the houses and there dung, soil or filth or other offensive the houses were never dry’. He is a right of way between this or noxious matter’, ‘accumulation completed a report that was frank refuse heap and the cesspool. of pig manure and other filth and unambiguous in its message The right of way appears to be e.g. decomposing food in yard’, to the UDC: used as a playground for the ‘yard is unsanitary owing to the children living in Park Ave with fact that hens are kept in the house ‘Many of the houses are in a very disastrous results to the health of night and day’, ‘yard is extremely bad state and should be properly those children.

dangerous to the public health of repaired. This is of course a Extract from Minutes of Buncrana Urban the town’, ‘human excrement and matter for the landlord in the first District Council, inspector’s report on housing estate, 7 January 1924 26 27 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Public Health and Sanitation

Mr O’Farrell’s report was referred supplies and inspection and to a sub committee. The subsequent registration of slaughter houses. minutes reflect how closely the Monitoring and regulating slaughter UDC monitored the improvement houses were great problems in in the conditions on the estate. the early years of the Council. For In March that year, the Council, example on 5 February 1923 the following another strong letter from medical officer of health reported Mr O’Farrell, decided to inform one such slaughter house as being the Department that the landlords ‘unsanitary and defective, it is of the premises in question were kept in a filthy condition, blood erecting earth closets as ordered and excrement being allowed to by the Council and that the Council accumulate inside and outside’. had passed bye-laws on the The officer reported that ‘this house building of toilets in houses. Also is entirely unfit for the slaughtering it was decided to serve seven day of animals unless the place is notices on tenants and landlords to repaired, lime washed and enforce the cleaning and emptying kept in a sanitary state’. It was of closets and ashpits. ordered that a Notice be served and seven days allowed to carry Town Surveyor’s Other public health issues dealt out the recommendations of the Report on with by the medical officer and sub medical officer. proposed new sewer, 4 March sanitary officer were unauthorised 1935 burial of animals, unauthorised The duties of the local Councils’ dumping grounds, regulation of medical officers included the of 1889 and 1890 had been Infectious diseases still extant in burial grounds, running sewers, the prevention, notification and adopted by Inishowen RDC and the early years of the 20th century extension of Buncrana’s sewerage isolation of infectious diseases. now ‘continued in force in the included typhus, TB and diphtheria. system, proposals for and Buncrana UDC noted, more than Buncrana Urban District since maintenance of public lavatories, a year after its own establishment, constituted and comprised in It was agreed with Inishowen responsibility for water fountains, that the Infectious Disease the original area.’ (Minutes of 5 RDC to transfer the ‘Union fever inspection of milk and meat Notification and Prevention Acts July1915). hospital to the RDC to be used

28 29 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Public Health and Sanitation as an isolation hospital for Welfare scheme and reminding consumption’ (6 July 1914). him that the child welfare scheme The Union fever hospital was funds were due to be paid in and it was to (October 1918 and November here that patients with infectious 1920.) The clerk of the Council diseases could be transferred by also received regular letters order of the local authority. An from the Local Government early such case occurred in the Board, reminding him of the local RIC barracks in Buncrana, deadline for participation in this from where a person who had scheme (e.g. 24 January 1920), contracted diphtheria ‘from an authorising recoupment of funds unknown source’ was transferred expended, and also seeking to Carndonagh hospital and his information on which nursing family ‘isolated’ (2 Nov 1914). association the funds went to. The Such cases were notified regularly scheme was monitored closely at monthly meetings. by central government, whether British or Irish, as is evident from Buncrana UDC took part in a letter sent on 19 February maternity and child welfare grant 1925, from J. W. Martin, Local schemes which were established Government Auditor, Ministry to assist in funding local nursing of Local Government, Dublin, to associations under the Maternity the town clerk, Buncrana UDC, and Child Welfare Act of 1918. stating that he was directed by the The Archives collection includes Minister to examine and certify letters from Annie Callaghan, the maternity and child welfare Buncrana Nursing Society, scheme of Buncrana for the year Heatherlea, Buncrana (later ended 31 March 1924, stating Ardcaein, Buncrana), to the town that he intended going to Donegal clerk, Charles O’Callaghan, and asking that the accounts and Letter from Women’s National Health Association to Buncrana Urban District Council, requesting funds under the Child vouchers be ready for checking. regarding child welfare, 3 November 1921

30 31 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Public Health and Sanitation / Water Supply

Buncrana Urban District Council numbers of dairymen had to be had an overseeing role in ensuring kept and information passed on Water Supply safe practice with regard to to the Local Government Board. production of dairy farms. Dairy Other related issues included inspectors reported to the Council ensuring the prevention of sale of on the condition of premises ‘unsound eggs’ and milk. Buncrana UDC was responsible received by the UDC on 2 April utilised by ‘cowkeepers and for the supply of clean water to the 1936, complaining of water dairymen’. A register of the town and district. This included being turned off all day every the routine tasks of laying (bringing day from 10 am. water for domestic purposes in pipes from the main supply) and repair of pipes.

The Council also had the unwelcome task quite frequently, particularly in the early years, of rationing water in the town, and later during the ‘Emergency’ (World War Two) years. The Council regularly issued notices and warnings regarding perceived misuse of water supplied. It also had to deal with complaints regarding inadequate water supply.

For example, a petition from Water shortage Notice, 12 July 1940 ratepayers Eliza Kelly, Thomas Report by inspector for dairies and Burns, William Doherty, Philip cowsheds, Friel, Thomas Kelly, Charles Buncrana, 3 December 1921 Doherty, Milltown, Buncrana, was

32 33 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Water Supply

One of the Council’s first duties, concentrated on the problems of The Council took the lead role in due to scarcity of water supply in the water pumping engine, it kept instigating water improvement the reservoir, was to hold a Special breaking down at a time when schemes, gaining loans from the Meeting to draw up an agreement water reserves were particularly Local Government Board in 1915 with the local landowners, Hugh low; sometimes additional men for the first of these, which was McCarrow and Hugh Doherty, had to be employed to work it at Lough Doo. This was during to allow the UDC to put pipes day and night. On 7 September the World War One years, a in their field ‘and give them the 1914 it was decided to analyse time when the British Admiralty use of the spring and all facilities’ other areas for a new water fleet was based at Lough Swilly, (19 June 1914). The early days scheme, including at Slavery. and the water improvement of the Council scheme took place with the aid of the British admiralty. Later improvement schemes followed, such as again at Lough Doo in 1944. Grants or loans were received from the Department of Local Government for such large scale schemes including during the 1950s. The UDC would make regular written applications for instalments of the loan that had been sanctioned. The Archives holds an extensive file of correspondence relating to the acquisition and development of land at Slavery, Buncrana, for the purpose of a water improvement scheme in the 1950s - 1960s. Buncrana UDC Medical Inspector’s Report on water supply, 24 July 1924

34 35 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Housing

Ballymacarry and Tullyaravan were Tenant purchase schemes became Housing finally passed to the newly formed common from the 1950s - 1960s. UDC by agreement in October The Archives collection includes 1916 ‘under terms of award viz to correspondence in the 1950s pay to the Rural District Council the between Buncrana UDC and the Buncrana Town Commissioners, January. From the commencement sum of £120.18.8 per year.’ Department of Local Government by its own admission at one of of urban status however, public regarding a tenant purchase its last meetings in December housing became one of the new Even before the UDC accepted scheme for some of the above 33 1913, had not had an opportunity Council’s main responsibilities. it was to inherit responsibility labourers’ cottages. to undertake any public housing Inishowen Rural District Council for these properties, Inishowen scheme since becoming had built 33 cottages in Buncrana. RDC began passing on problems The Urban District Council’s Commissioners the previous These cottages, at Ardaravan, and issues associated with their efforts to purchase private land maintenance, and the UDC for the purpose of building public then began dealing with them. housing was often fraught with Maintenance, payment of rent, difficulties, sometimes ending in vacant cottages, tenant lease compulsory purchase as allowed queries and difficulties with under law. In 1922 there were tenant behaviour were some of protracted discussions between their newly inherited duties. For Mr Colquhoun, solicitor and land instance in September 1914 it agent (also an Urban District was reported by Inishowen RDC councillor) and General William that one tenant was ‘in the habit Kerr McClintock who owned land of keeping lodgers of a very in Buncrana which the Council bad class’. The Council pointed wished to take for housing. out that the man ‘violates one of McClintock offered the land to the the conditions of his agreement’ Council for £200 plus costs but and wished to know if the Urban the Council was unhappy with this Council would like to have him offer. (Its original offer had been served with a notice to quit. The £200 in total). On 4 December UDC agreed that it would. 1922 it passed a resolution to Letter from Inishowen RDC to Buncrana UDC regarding 33 labourers’ cottages, 3 June 1916 36 37 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Housing

‘hereby withdraw their offer of This was not as easy as it sounds £200 to General McClintock though, for on 7 May 1923 the for an acre of land on this site’. UDC reported that it still had In accordance with a resolution no housing scheme in progress passed by the Council on 7 and that it was still attempting to August 1922 the Council initiated compulsorily purchase land from compulsory purchase proceedings. General McClintock.

Tender document for St Mary’s Road housing project, 1932

Throughout the 20th century St Mary’s Road, St ’s Buncrana Urban District Council Ave, Ferris Lane, Ardaravan, played an important role in Maginn Ave, the McClintock sourcing and building what estate, Cluain Mhuire. The was known as ‘housing for the development of Castlefield took Poster issued by working classes’ of the district. place in 1947 and interestingly, Buncrana UDC seeking tenders for Specific housing schemes included included a strike by workers building of houses, Castlefield, St Egney’s Terrace, during building work. 18 April 1932

38 39 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Housing

and elsewhere. Land and property Committee. During the late 1950s, were let long term and short term the Town Council appears to for a wide variety of purposes have acted as mediator between such as circus performances, Association Football Buncrana dances, and even the grazing of Summer Cup and League and the sheep (the golf links was regularly Plaza and Broadway ballrooms, let for grazing.) Circuses such as resulting in an agreement by the the famous Fossetts and Duffys Football Association to forego rented land in Buncrana. The marquee dancing at the shore UDC negotiated agreements with greens and instead to hold their many people and organisations dances in one of the ballrooms.

Correspondence between Buncrana UDC and circuses coming to Buncrana, 1954 - 1955 including amusement proprietors, business men and women, the The UDC and County Council

Letter from Planning consultant to Buncrana UDC, regarding the building of local ballrooms and dancehalls, negotiated financial terms for houses at Castle Ave, 1948 Buncrana Hearts Football & Athletic the association’s rental of the Club, Buncrana Industrial Fund, the ballrooms. Buncrana UDC was also responsible Archives Collection includes Irish Countrywomen’s Association for maintaining and letting land correspondence relating to the (ICA), Bord Fáilte, the GAA and owned or inherited by itself. The letting of land at the shore greens Buncrana Town Development

40 41 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Roads and Transport

also reported on ‘the payment of more serious during World War Roads £5 to Daniel Friel for a hand cart One and generated tensions for scavenging purposes and the between the Admiralty, the RIC and Transport payment of the sum of £27 4s 4d and the UDC. A UDC motion to the Donegal County Council for was drafted on 5 August 1918, the maintenance of roads within objecting to the speed of military, In the early years the town surveyor the urban area since 1 April 1914.’ Admiralty, public and private served as the main Roads manager motor vehicles within the urban with the duties of developing Roads issues from the earliest days area. The motion stated that such and maintaining the roads and of Buncrana UDC included issues speed was endangering lives and streets of Buncrana. The surveyor that are still very relevant today. alleged that an Admiralty vehicle reported regularly to the UDC at Traffic calming measures through had ‘injured a horse which had to quarterly meetings. For example towns became necessary once be put down, and a fifteen year at the meeting on 5 July 1915 he motor cars became the main mode old rider had a miraculous escape’. reported that the roads in the of transportation. The problem The UDC ordered a new speed urban area ‘have been kept in fair is reflected in a letter of 9 July limit in the urban area of 10 mph. order’, that he had ordered a steam 1914 from the town clerk, Charles However, the RIC district inspector roller at work for 27 days during O’Callaghan to Thomas T. Lander, replied that while he had already the quarter, that ‘895 tons of stones district inspector with the Royal instituted proceedings with regard and 96 tons of grit have been Irish Constabulary, commenting on to the Admiralty car he believed rolled’, and he also recommended the excessive speed of cars and that under the 1903 Motor Car that Victoria Road be taken over motor bicycles through the town, Act the UDC had no power to by the Council as it ‘is in fair order suggesting a speed reduction reduce speed limits. He stated and suitable for traffic.’ It was Quarterly meeting of Buncrana UDC with to seven miles per hour, and that only the County Council had also recommended that the ‘road Town Surveyor’s roads report, 3 October requesting RIC assistance in the such power (12 August 1918). A 1921 between the Military road and end matter. A few days earlier the more conciliatory letter from Rear of the road at Farmer Lynch’s house roads and streets have been kept Council had passed a resolution to Admiral [ ], RN Base, to the town in Lisnakelly be repaired’. On 3 in fair order during the past quarter allow motor cars to travel no faster clerk stressed that necessary April 1916 the quarterly report of and all the gateways and the main than seven miles per hour (6 July orders had been given and ‘it is the town surveyor stated that ‘the street have been repaired’. He 1914). The issue of speed became trusted will remove all cause

42 43 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Roads and Transport

would be directly employed by the Urban Council £400 for the the Urban Council as labourers improvement of ‘trunk roads’ and on specific roads projects. This added that the County Council was a popular decision in the could supplement this amount if it locality as it meant that it was so wished from grants allocated now far more likely that local men to it. Buncrana UDC resolved would be given employment. to ask the County Council to supply the UDC with the broken Occasionally, from the 1920s stones ‘that will be necessary to onwards, men were employed on carry out the work of improving ‘unemployment relief’ schemes. the main roads’ from the local In 1922, for example, following quarry, stating that ‘by the County a deputation of unemployed Council supplying the stones from men to the UDC offices, and the quarry more employment correspondence between would be given to the men they Letter from Buncrana UDC to RIC concerning road speeds, 9 July 1914 the Ministry (Department) of have employed under the grant Economic Affairs, the Department allocated to them.’ of complaint in future.’ (13 of Transport, Buncrana Urban August 1918). District Council and Donegal Other responsibilities for County Council, a sum of £300 Roads personnel included the Traditionally, local authorities was granted to the UDC for maintenance of bridges, the invited private contractors to a road relief scheme for the harbour, footpaths and greens, tender for repair of roads, employment of men in the district. traffic and automobile signage, the Petition from Buncrana residents footpaths, streets and bridges, railway route, quarrying, handling regarding the condition of local roads, 5 August 1935 with the town surveyor preparing Road works often took place complaints on the condition of the specification. Buncrana UDC following allocations of roads and regulation of traffic. Railway Company, mainly due to made a decision to employ direct Departmental grants. At a Council the difficulties experienced with labour at a quarterly meeting meeting on 3 March 1924 it was Organisations often lobbied by transport in early 20th century of the Council on 6 July 1914. reported that the Department of Buncrana UDC included the Inishowen, in spite of the Direct labour meant that men Local Government had awarded Londonderry & Lough Swilly existence of a railway network.

44 45 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Roads and Transport / Public Lighting

A Council minute of 4 on a Sunday an evening train June 1923 notes: ‘The clerk would facilitate a number of Public Lighting was directed to request the people wishing to visit Buncrana’. Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway Company to run an On 2 May 1932 the Council ordinary train to Buncrana on asked the company to reduce In 1905 Buncrana had become Sunday evenings during the fares to members and day the first town in County Donegal summer months and to point out members of the Municipal Golf to use electricity for public that owing to motor cars being Links on trams and buses from lighting purposes. A surviving prohibited from Derry to Buncrana Derry to Buncrana. legal agreement between Donegal County Council and Thomas Swan, dated 19 January 1905 refers to the erection of poles or wires for the purpose of an electric lighting scheme, on any land under the control of Donegal County Council.

Subsequently Buncrana Electric Supply Company became the supplier of lighting for the town. Its contract was renewed by the Urban Council on an annual basis. Documents in the Archives include the Company’s Buncrana Railway Station, 1959 contracts. There are also letters from members of the public and

Agreement for Lighting of town of Buncrana, between Thomas Swan and Donegal County Council, 19 January 1905

46 47 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Public Lighting business people in Buncrana fatal Luftwaffe bombings in requesting increased lighting and Dublin the Council ordered hours or improved lighting of parts that: of the town, their own , ‘Owing to the position arising areas or housing estates. People from it is necessary sometimes signed petitions that public lighting shall cease as seeking lighting for specific areas. from the 31st next. The contractor, however, has agreed to serve the town with six pilot lights during the winter months as far as his plant is capable of so doing.’

There were many requests from Notice regarding lighting restrictions in Buncrana, members of the public and 1959 businesses for improved public lighting during the War years. On 1 April 1954 the Electricity The erection of electricity The Archives collection includes Supply Board (of Ireland), (ESB) or telegraph poles can be correspondence in November took over the public lighting of controversial as we know even Letter from Buncrana Electric Supply 1944 regarding a petition from Buncrana. It was the end of an era. today. The Archives collection Company to Buncrana UDC, regarding local residents to turn lighting on includes documentation the former’s tender for lighting of the town, 11 October 1926 in the town from 6.30 to 8.30 In the years after the war, regarding disapproval expressed AM for workers travelling by disappointment was expressed in in May 1954 by the Buncrana Buncrana UDC and Buncrana train to Derry. When asked by Inishowen at what was believed ‘Commissioners discharging the Electric Supply Company the UDC if this was possible, to be the by-passing of Inishowen affairs of the Buncrana Urban corresponded during the Buncrana Electric Supply by the Rural Electrification District Council’ of the way in Emergency/World War Two years Company refused permission for Scheme; protest meetings took which the town is being wired for regarding lighting restrictions such early morning lighting due place and the Department of electricity with ‘unsightly poles deemed necessary due to the to ‘emergency’ conditions which Industry and Commerce and ESB being erected in our main street.’ war. On 21 August 1941 some included fuel shortages. were lobbied on the matter from months after the destructive and 1949 to 1950.

48 49 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Planning and Development

Co Contractors were granted With the gradual development Planning permission to repair and alter the of the town over time and Bank of Ireland branch building the strengthening of national and Development in Buncrana. There was no legislation on planning matters, the planning appeals process and if Council commenced the process of an applicant wished to reapply registering Planning applications Although there was no specific this, with permissions frequently for permission refused he or she and the Archives collection legislation backing the planned being sought by individuals and just reapplied to the Council itself. includes original Planning registers development of towns until developers for building works The lack of direction by national and files dating from 1947. the non compulsory Town and such as the erection of petrol government sometimes led to Regional Planning Act of 1934 pumps, hoardings, or to renovate frustration and to legal wrangles It was only in later years, under (which became law in 1939), or construct buildings. For example, with applicants and their lawyers. the more comprehensive 1963 Buncrana Urban District Council, on 7 July 1930 Council minutes For example an application by Planning Act that pre- planning of like other local authorities, did record that David Allen & Son Henry Doherty for erection of the development of towns became have responsibility for overseeing were refused permission for a a ‘petrol standard’ on the main official policy and Buncrana’s first private building works in its hoarding at West End while on street in 1924 led to the Council town plan was made in 1967/68. district. The Council minutes reflect the same day Colhoun and passing a resolution requesting the Subsequent variations of the plan Department of Local Government were made in 1973 and 1974. to: These Development plans included ‘inform the Council if they are a survey and analysis of the town, within their rights in granting a history of planning in the town permission for the erection of a and the present position and petrol pump on the main street and status, a preview of future trends, also if they are right in permitting a major policies, basic objectives, petrol tank (which feeds the pump) development objectives, plans to be sunk underneath the floor of for future provision of services the garage, which garage adjoins and facilities, land use zoning dwelling houses and abuts the and development standards, a main street.’ (Minutes of 13 February feasibility study and maps of the Letter from T Swan to Buncrana UDC, requesting permission to 1924 refer.) town. build, 2 February 1920 50 51 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Valuation and Rates

The UDC received a letter from governmental dept. Members Valuation the government stating that the of the public often wrote matter was under consideration complaining that they could not and Rates and on foot of this letter, on 25 afford to pay the rate demanded April, a special meeting of the of them. Rate collectors never Council decided to approve of collected the full amount of rates the annual estimate and levy for due. In September 1923 a letter The making of a rate and including as it does an increase in rates for the year ending 24 from the Department stated that the collection of rates are Buncrana UDC rates of 4 shillings March 1924. it did not object to ‘the council fundamental duties of local in the pound and we call upon the striking off items of arrears of authorities and often among government to revise the financial The problem with collection of rates as irrecoverable but it must the most controversial. The relations existing between county rates was always an issue with be prepared to satisfy the Auditor difficulties sometimes experienced and urban district with a view to the UDC and a source of frequent on the point.’ (17 Sept 1923). in reaching an agreement on place them on a more equitable complaint to the overseeing striking a rate on an annual basis, basis and we also ask the employing rate collectors and government to institute inquiries securing the collection of rates are by Commission or otherwise into represented in the Buncrana UDC the enormous increase… over last minutes and correspondence from year’s estimates as many of the its earliest years. charges now payable by Urban authorities are unfair and curtail Buncrana UDC itself frequently them in promoting of several objected to the rate demand of necessary schemes for the benefit Donegal County Council upon it. of their districts and in order to For example, on 2 April 1923 remedy this grievance we request the UDC passed a resolution to: the government to introduce ‘enter our strongest protest against legislation which will end this the Demand of the Tirconaill state of affairs.’

County Council for poor rates for Letter from Valuation Commissioners to Buncrana UDC regarding the year ending 31 March 1924 valuation revision, 10 December 1919

52 53 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Valuation and Rates / Recreation

The years 1952 - 1953 saw of county demands regarding a protracted controversy in health, roads, the mental Recreation Buncrana on the issue of the hospital charges, public town’s valuation. This followed assistance and salaries of a 100% revision of valuation Donegal County Council staff’ From its earliest years, Buncrana ‘a competent person to take charge of the town in 1951, which and requesting the minister to UDC was responsible for building of gentlemen’s bathing boxes for Buncrana UDC felt was ‘out of inquire into the circumstances and maintaining ‘bathing boxes’, the season’. The Archives collection all proportion to the increase and to make an order to public huts at the beach which were includes applications from the placed on the other urban areas Donegal County Council to alter to allow people to change into and 1920s for posts as caretakers out of beachwear. A notice issued of the boxes- gentlemen’s and by Buncrana UDC in June 1917 ladies’. As in Bundoran, beach stated that the Council was seeking guards to oversee swimmers were also employed.

Extract from Buncrana Urban Valuation this situation. The Department Document, 1937. of Local Government replied on in the county.’ (UDC Town Clerk’s 16 August 1952 that it was not Memo, 1951). Correspondence possible for the minister to do as Aspect of Swan Park, April 2014 includes a petition to the Minister requested by Buncrana UDC. In 1965 Harry P. Swan donated for Local Government issued by land along the river Crana to the Buncrana UDC complaining of town for a public park, and the the ‘heavy burdens imposed on beautiful and unique Swan Park the urban district of Buncrana has been cared for by the UDC/ by reason of the inequitable Town Council ever since as have financial relations existing..... the shore greens and other green between Donegal County Council Buncrana UDC Poster requesting tenders spaces and playgrounds in the town. and Buncrana UDC in respect for building of bathing boxes, May 1934

54 55 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Fishing and Harbour Matters Fishing and Harbour Matters

Buncrana Harbour Commissioners Germany and Poland on all Irish was a separate body to the Urban cured herrings ‘which is quickly District Council, though there was and effectively killing our cured frequent interaction between the herring industry’ and requesting two. Through official minutes the the assistance of the Department Council sometimes lobbied the of Industry and Commerce in this Commissioners to get works done. matter. A letter from the town For example on 25 February 1931 clerk, Charles O’Callaghan, the minutes record the Council’s to the Minister for Industry and concern that work being done Commerce, on 8 February at the river side of the harbour 1936, asked the minister to ‘get would not be completed in time the restriction regarding export for the May fishing, fearing that of Irish herrings to Germany if the work was not completed removed’ and stated that the in time ‘there will be no fishing ‘industry is now at a dead which means loss of revenue to end until trading conditions the harbour which is a matter of are revised.’ TDs including importance to the Council.’ Neil T. Blaney also lobbied the government on the matter and Donegal County Council and the Minister for Agriculture, Dr Buncrana UDC lobbied the Irish James Ryan agreed to try to government in 1936 in relation negotiate a deal with Germany to the import duty imposed by and Britain on herring exports. Letter from , TD to Buncrana UDC, regarding herring exports, 17 February 1936

56 57 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Curious Facts Gleaned from the Archives

establishment of a new Technical Amalgamated Society of Wood Curious facts school in Buncrana in 1935. Joiners, the National Union of General and Municipal Workers, gleaned from Beach: Occasionally, over the and the Local Government years, the beach’s public bathing Officials (Ireland) Trade Union. the Archives boxes maintained by the UDC were discovered to have been Role of Women: The first woman used by courting couples at night chairperson of the Council was Ms for purposes not related to sea Bried Bonner in 1976. Location: In 1923 Council meetings the Commissioners of National bathing, much to the chagrin of were being held at St Mary’s Hall, Education on 17 June 1914 the Council who liaised with the Employees: In the early years of which at this time was also being stated that the Council was of local Garda Superintendent on the 20th century employees had used as a national school. At that the opinion that compulsory the matter in the 1940s. to apply directly to the UDC itself time meetings were usually held in education was not necessary in (rather than their line managers) the Courthouse, but this suffered the urban area. Buncrana was not Farming: Sheep farmers needed for increases in pay or for annual damage during the Civil War. unique in this, Letterkenny UDC to apply to the Town Council leave. Council members’ decisions had agreed two years earlier that if they wished to rent Urban on the sanction or refusal of leave Compulsory Education: Following compulsory education was not land for grazing. The Buncrana or increase in wages were duly legislation in 1892 to increase necessary in its district. Golf Links was continuously let recorded in the monthly minutes. school attendance and raise out for grazing, to a variety of the school age, local authorities Further Education: In April 1924 individuals and organisations. Customs: As Buncrana was could legislate for compulsory Buncrana struck a rate of one so proximate to the border at education in their localities, penny in the pound for the year Trade unions: In 1918 the Bridgend, there were often although many local authorities ending 31 March 1925 for National Amalgamated Union of contentious issues regarding did not see the benefits of this at technical instruction purposes and Labour negotiated with Buncrana customs. A resolution of Buncrana the time. The legislation was itself suggested to the Tirconaill Joint UDC for an increase in salary for UDC on 30 January 1936 called not compulsory, but ‘permissive’, Technical Instruction Committee members of the union. Among on Donegal County Council to meaning that there was no means that the Masonic Hall was the other trade unions Buncrana ‘assist us with all their strength to of actually enforcing it. A letter available for such a school. The UDC negotiated with in its first have the custom borders into the from Buncrana’s town clerk to UDC played a strong role in the few decades were the six counties declared open to

58 59 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Curious Facts Gleaned from the Archives outgoing private vehicles up far as the first count...... it seemed Fire fighting: In 1930 a committee to 11.30 pm free instead of as to me that a terrible lot of time, was set up under the aegis of present 9.0’. The resolution was at the General Election Dáil the Council to report on the copied to various organisations, count, was wasted at Lifford possibility of purchase of fire including the Irish Tourist in talking and smoking- more fighting equipment. The Committee Association which replied on particularly the latter.’ recommended that the Council 25 February 1936 that ‘the association will do all it can to cooperate with the UDC in securing the arrangements suggested’. The Department of Finance also responded, stating that the suggestion had been forwarded to the Minister for Finance. Donegal County Council supported Buncrana UDC’s motion (as did Bundoran UDC) agreeing with the List of the staff of Buncrana Urban District Council, 3 May 1915 issue and suggesting that a letter from both be sent to the Revenue postponed till 1925. Election Commissioners. Buncrana wrote to by proportional representation Revenue but Revenue denied the means that time and patience is request on 25 February 1936. required in the count process,as Letter regarding election count process, 20 June 1925 is reflected in this intriguing letter Elections: Organisation of the Ballot from Edward O’Donnell to Charles Golf: In November 1950, the procure a ‘small trailer fire pump’ in national and local elections was O’Callaghan on 20 June 1925, Department of Local Government and new fire hydrants, hose and part of the duties of the Council. regarding the next day count, in granted £350 to Buncrana other equipment (4 May 1931). Due to the War of Independence which O’Donnell states that he Urban District Council, ‘being It was agreed that the Committee and Civil War, local elections, hopes that: full amount of grant allocated be empowered to purchase the planned under the new Free State ‘By working late on Wednesday towards coast erosion protection necessary requirements once it Government for 1922, were night ...we should be on easily as at Buncrana Golf links.’ had obtained a loan for same.

60 61 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Buncrana’s Archives Collection

Inishowen Rural District Council, a body which had its existence from Buncrana’s the Local Government Board, 1899 to 1925, are also available Department of Local Government, for viewing at Donegal County Archives Department of Environment and Archives. The remit of the RDC Public Health, and various other included the more rural townlands of Collection government departments, and other Buncrana and outskirts. state organisations, Councillors, members of the public, businesses, Access to the Archives is by prior the press and interested parties. appointment with the Archivist. The Buncrana Town local authorities town development, elections and Some material is of a private Collection dates from the inception electoral issues. The collection It is worth noting that the archives nature but the majority of records of Buncrana Town Commissioners includes general Local Government of Inishowen Rural District Council, are open to the public for viewing. in January 1913 to approximately Board Orders, Departmental 1999/2000. The collection also Orders, circulars and Acts, as well includes archives dating back as correspondence on specific to 1905 during the existence of town issues such as posts and Buncrana Public Health Committee telegraphs, education including the (the subcommittee formed under Vocational Educational Committee, Inishowen Rural District Council). the development of tourism, agriculture, the situation during the The extant Archives are varied and War of Independence and Civil extremely comprehensive, and War, the dissolution of the Poor comprise Council minutes, agendas, Law Union system and the abolition legal deeds, and managers’ orders, of workhouses, poverty in the as well as detailed correspondence early 1920s, Buncrana Harbour, files on housing, roads, water fisheries, and military matters. supply, sewerage, public and The UDC corresponded with a environmental health, personnel, great number of organisations Buncrana Town Council Members and Staff, 2014. From Left to Right: Joe Doherty (FF), Michelle Bradley (FG), James Gill (FF), Nicholas Crossan (Ind), financial matters, rates and and individuals, such as the other Michael Grant (Ind), Fiona Doherty (Staff), Donal Walker (Town Engineer), Seamus valuation, planning and UDCs, Donegal County Council, Canning (Town Clerk), John McLaughlin (Town Manager), Peter McLaughlin (Last Mayor of Buncrana Town Council), Mary Kelly (SF), Ciaran McLaughlin (SF) 62 63 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Chairpersons/Mayors of Buncrana Urban District/Town Council since 1914 Chairpersons/ Patrick Hugh Doherty 1933 – 1934 mayors of Michael McGlinchey 1934 – 1938 Buncrana Urban Daniel Friel 1938 – 1939 District/Town Council since 1914 Seamus McLysaght 1939 – 1942

Francis O’Loughlin 1942 – 1945

Michael McGlinchey 1914 – 1915 Francis Kildea 1945 – 1950

Isaac John Trew Colquhoun 1915 – 1919 John McLaughlin 1950 – 1952

Patrick Porter 1919 – 1925 Sean MacLochlainn 1952 – 1954

Michael McGlinchey 1925 – 1928 John McLaughlin 1954 – 1955

Patrick Porter 1928 - 1930 Edward Doherty 1955 – 1957

Patrick Hugh Doherty 1930 – 1931 W. P. McCarter 1957 – 1958

Michael McGlinchey 1931 – 1932 A. C. Bateman 1958 – 1960

John Porter 1932 – 1933 John Grant 1960 – 1962

64 65 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Chairpersons/Mayors of Buncrana Urban District/Town Council since 1914

Giacomo Centra 1962 – 1963 Bried Bonner 1976 – 1977

Sean McLaughlin 1963 – 1964 Hugh Henderson 1977 – 1978

Kevin B. Cutliffe 1964 – 1965 Dermot McLaughlin 1978 – 1979

John McLaughlin 1965 – 1967 Tony Gill 1979 – 1980

A. C. Bateman 1967 – 1968 Bried Bonner 1980 – 1981

Kevin B. Cutliffe 1968 – 1969 Dermot McLaughlin 1981 – 1982

Harry McLaughlin 1969 – 1970 Joseph Doherty 1982 – 1983

Sean Friel 1970 – 1971 Bried Bonner 1983 – 1985

Dermot McLaughlin 1971 – 1972 Joseph Doherty 1985 – 1986

Sean McLaughlin 1972 – 1973 Dermot McLaughlin 1986 – 1988

George McGroarty 1973 – 1974 Sinead Nic Lochlainn 1988 – 1989

Dermot McLaughlin 1974 – 1975 Sean McLaughlin 1989 – 1990

Sean McLaughlin 1975 – 1976 Joseph Doherty 1990 – 1991

66 67 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Chairpersons/Mayors of Buncrana Urban District/Town Council since 1914

Dermot McLaughlin 1991- 1992 Philip Diggin 2004 – 2005

Joseph Doherty 1992 – 1993 Padraig MacLochlainn 2005 – 2006

Sinead NicLochlainn 1993 – 1994 Joseph Doherty 2006 – 2007

Philip Diggin 1994 – 1995 Paul Bradley 2007 – 2008

Patrick McMyler 1995 – 1996 Dermot McLaughlin 2008 – 2009

Nicholas Crossan 1996 – 1997 Lee Tedstone 2009 – 2010

Peter McLaughlin 1997 - 1998 Padraig MacLochlainn 2010 – 2011

Jim Ferry 1998 - 1999 Michael Grant 2011

Joseph Doherty 1999 - 2000 Nicholas Crossan 2011 – 2012

Jim Sheridan 2000 – 2001 James Gill 2012 – 2013

Philip Diggin 2001 – 2002 Peter McLaughlin 2013 – 2014

Dermot McLaughlin 2002 – 2003

Peter McLaughlin 2003 – 2004

68 69 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

All images, including archives and photographs used in this publication are copyright of Donegal County Archives, Donegal County Council.

All archives referenced in this publication are from Donegal County Archives’ Buncrana Local Authorities Collection.

The Archives Service wishes to express its thanks to the members and staff of Buncrana Town Council, including Seamus Canning, Mark McLaughlin, and former Town Clerk, Paul Doyle, without whom the archives in this collection could not have been preserved. The Service also wishes to thank Ms Ciara Joyce for her work on the Archives Collection.

Produced by Dr Niamh Brennan for The Archives Service, Donegal County Council, June 2014.

Information Sign on wildlife in Swan Park, May 2014

70 71 Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History Contact Details

Contact details

Donegal County Archives is part of Cultural Services Division, Community, Culture and Planning Directorate, Donegal County Council.

Donegal County Archives, Donegal County Council, Lifford, County Donegal. Tel: +353 74 9172490 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.donegalcoco.ie/archives www.facebook.com/DonegalCountyArchives Buncrana shore front, May 2014.

ISBN No 978-0-9574403-3-3

Castle Bridge, Buncrana shore front, May 2014.

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Buncrana Urban District/Town Council - A Short History