Galway is situated where the River Corrib meets Galway Bay and retains the essence of its medieval origins. Throughout history, this location has played a significant role as a crucial trading post along the western seaboard in medieval times, with its rich history revealed through archaeological excavations, showcasing structures like the de Burgo castle (built in 1232) and the Red Earl’s Hall (constructed in the late 1200s or early 1300s).
The exact origin of the name ‘Galway’ from the Irish ‘Gaillimh’ remains unclear. However, one theory proposes that it may be related to the Galway (Gaillimh) River, now the River Corrib, and the Irish words ‘gall’ and ‘amh,’ signifying a ‘stony river.’ Local legend suggests that the town is named after Gaillimh or Galvia, the daughter of the mythical king Breasal, who is said to have drowned in the river.
Before the 12th century, Galway’s historical records are limited. It emerged as a location where Toirdhealbhach Ó Conchobhair, the king of Connacht, constructed a timber fortification called Bun Gaillimhe (‘the mouth of the River Galway’). The region around the present city was part of the territories governed by two local families loyal to Ó Conchobhair: the O’Flahertys to the west of the river and the O’Hallorans to the east.
During 1169-70, Anglo-Norman settlers arrived in Ireland, and in 1196, they laid their first claim on Connacht through a grant to William de Burgo. His son, Richard de Burgo, faced opposition from the Gaelic Irish at Galway in 1230 but returned in 1232 to construct the city’s first stone castle. Richard’s son, Walter, who passed away in the Galway castle in 1271, is credited with establishing the walled town, granting the citizens their first mural charter around 1270, enabling them to levy tolls on goods for financing the construction of town walls.
The early town of Galway was a relatively contained unit, in an area surrounded by Gaelic Irish. Each settler was given a plot of land on which to build a house. By the late 1320s there were over 200 plots in the town. There was always a threat of fire, and outbreaks in 1412 and 1473 may have led the early Galwegians to construct mainly from stone, as opposed to wood, from then on. By the early 1500s approximately 2000 people lived within the town walls or close by. The first language of the town was Norman-French. This continued as the spoken language for at least the first 150 years. By 1485, English, and in some cases Latin, started to become the prevalent languages as most of the municipal records were being compiled in both. Over time, Irish was also spoken as this was necessary to trade with the native population outside of the walls.
In 1484 King Richard III of England granted Galway the status of city, and its people the right to vote for a mayor. This marked the end of the De Burgo/Burke dominance of Galway and allowed for other Hiberno-Norman families to take control of the newly declared city. Peter Lynch was elected as the first mayor of Galway, and the Galway Corporation was also formed that same year. This sparked the beginning of the era of the Tribes. The famous 14 Tribes of Galway were merchant families of mostly Norman origin. These merchant families dominated the mayor office for almost 170 years, with only one non-tribal mayor, Thomas Rotheram, being elected during this time. With this new oligarchy set in place Galway prospered and, by the 16th century, became one of the finest trading ports in the Kingdom.
Take a tour of the church and walk through the ancient aisles with an historian, or climb the famous bell tower and ring the ancient bells for all of Galway to hear.
