126 BRITISH FISHERIES 



were poor, and capable of great improvement, but 

 such attempts were usually resisted. Trawling 

 was introduced into Galway before 1820, but 

 failed, on account of the violence with which the 

 prejudices of the native fishermen manifested 

 themselves.^ It was again attempted on a larger 

 scale in 1852, and, though opposed by complaints, 

 intimidation, and actual violence on the part of the 

 Claddagh fishermen, was persisted in until 1863. 

 Then the latter men took the law into their own 

 hands, and by violence and intimidation prevented 

 the trawl-owners from exercising their legal rights 

 of fishing. Boats and gear were then rendered 

 idle, and a memorial * presented to the Lord Lieu- 

 tenant (Lord Carlisle) by the fishermen, " the 

 magistracy, the gentry and inhabitants " of the 

 Claddagh, in Galway, prayed for the suppression of 

 this method of fishing. This was in 1863, and 

 when the Royal Commission of that year came to 

 inquire into the question, they were compelled to 

 hear the evidence of the trawl-owners privately, as 

 the latter persons alleged that they were in " bodily 

 fear " should their views be expressed publicly.* 



In these circumstances, the spirit of the adminis- 

 tration is easily intelligible. No apparent attempt 

 at the real encouragement and improvement of the 

 fishing industry seems to have been attempted. 



1 Hardiman, History of Galway, 1820. 



2 Quoted in Report, Royal Commission ^1863. 



3 Report, Royal Commission ^1863, p. 45 (8vq edition). 



