Book excerpt: Martin 'Mairtin Mor' McDonogh was, in every sense of the word, Galway's 'big man'. A natural entrepreneur, and a man of drive, ambition and no small intellect, he took his father's company, Thomas McDonogh & Sons, and expanded it to the extent that he became the largest employer in Connacht and one of Galway's richest men. In turn a merchant, farmer, industrialist and politician, McDonogh entered the national political stage when he was elected to Dáil Eireann, where he represented Galway as a Cumann na nGaedheal T.D. from 1927 until his death in 1934. McDonogh came to dominate every aspect of Galway life, from the world of business to its sporting and civic life. A colourful character, who never married and lived a frugal - and somewhat reclusive - life, he was acknowledged as 'impatient' and 'brusque' by his friends, and 'terrifying' by his enemies, but following his death it was widely recognised, by friend and enemy alike, that 'For half a century he was Galway'. *** "... Jackie Ui Chionna's research - and probably much intriguing detective work - delivers a focused, far-sighted and hardworking man of many facets. She probes all aspects of his upbringing, work, and innumerable responsibilities through historical records and personal testimonies, delivering compelling nuances concerning the times, the politics, the economics and the social customs." --The Celtic Connection, July 2017 [Subject: Biography, Irish Studies, Politics, Ireland, History]~~~~