APHSource: The Connacht Sentinel April 3 1945
FOOTPRINTS OF HISTORY
THERE will be general agreement with the decision of the Galway County Council to oppose the removal of the old North Gete of Athenry which was requested by a number of persons in that historic town.
If the structure was a serious obstacle to traffic, or interfered in any way-with the development of Athenry, undoubtedly some method would have to be devised of overcoming such disadvantages without demolishing this fragment of the old walls. The County Surveyor, however, stated that the present volume of traffic would not at all justify interference with the gateway, and Mr. Beegan, T.D., declared that, instead of constituting an obstacle to traffic, the gateway made for safety.
ln the past generation or two we have lost many valuable historic monuments 0wing to local ignorance of their worth, disdain for the past or an over-zealous. effort to modernise the surroundings. Galway City itself has suffered in this respect, but it still possesses several unique links with the great days of old and there is no danger that any interference with these footprints of history, will be permitted. The destruction of the Athenry gateway would, be nothing short of vandalism as one County Councillor put it, and, while it is easy to understand the excellent motives that prompted the suggestion, it is earnestly to be hoped that the present-day successors of those who dwelt within the walls of this ancient town will not find it necessary to press the motion further. Instead of destroying our few remaining historic monuments every care should be taken to preserve them from decay.
