The Gailliv. : an illustrated history of the ancient city of Galway

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

1. Tombstone of Francis Comyn at Forthill

   Forthill · site · Donegal · 1727

   A tombstone in Forthill cemetery marks the grave of Rev. Francis Comyn, D.D., of the Order of St. Augustine, who died Provincial of his Order on October 16th, 1727. The inscription describes him as a man of learning, piety, and zeal.

   Read the passage

   V. Rev. Francis Comyn, D.D., on whose tombstone in Forthill is the following inscription : — " Here lieth the body of the Rev. Fr. Master Francis Comyn, of the Order of St. Augustine, a man of learning, piety, and zeal for his Order, of which he died Provincial, the 16th October, 1727."

   V. Rev. Peter Mulligan, Prior of Galway, and for a time Provincial of the Order. He was appointed Bishop of Ardagh in 1732.

   Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 16

2. Western chieftains seize Galway, routed by Earl of Kildare, 1504

   Galway · city · Galway · 1504

   In 1504 several Western chieftains rose and took possession of Galway town after a sudden investment. They were routed with great slaughter a few days later by Gerald, Earl of Kildare.

   Read the passage

   Nothing of great moment to Galway occurred during the next few decades. Several of the Western chieftains rose in 1504 and, after a sudden and unexpected investment, took possession of the town. They were, however, routed with great slaughter a few days afterwards by Gerald, Earl of Kildare. The commercial disputes of this period with Limerick are of interest, but not of

   Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 28

   As the companion tells it

   As you near Galway: in 1504, several of the Western chieftains rose and, after a sudden and unexpected investment, took possession of the town. They were routed with great slaughter a few days afterwards by Gerald, Earl of Kildare. The commercial disputes of this period with Limerick are of interest too.

3. Will of John Blake, burgess of Galway, 1420

   Galway · city · Galway · 1420

   The will of John Blake, dated 1420, describes him as a burgess of Galway and names his son Walter and his tenants. The will was sworn before the Archbishop of Tuam and follows a form still recognisable today, opening with a declaration of sound mind.

   Read the passage

   We next find an inventory of the goods of John Blake, and his last will, dated 1420. He speaks of his son Walter, and of the lands held by his tenants, who are all named and described in this style (the document, as all the preceding, and indeed most documents of that time being in Latin.) — " Item Thadeus O'Mlheyn tenetur," &c, and so on describing the different takes. The form of the will is exactly the same as is used to-day. It opens thus — " I, John Blake, a man of good memory, burgess of Galway, now about to die, and being of sound mind this day, &c." The will is sworn before " Nos Johannes, Dei et Apostolice sedis gratia, Archiepiscopus Tuamensis," and the entry thus runs— " We, John, by the grace of God and of the Apostolic See, Archbishop of Tuam, this testament of John Blake being exhibited

   78

   Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 38

4. St. Augustine's Church formally opened in 1859

   Saint Augustine Street · street · Galway · 1859

   St. Augustine's Church in Galway was formally opened to the public on September 4th, 1859, with a Pontifical High Mass. Crowds thronged the approaches from early morning and the building could not accommodate all who came.

   Read the passage

   Preparations for the opening ceremony were at once begun, and on the 4th of September, 1859, the Feast of the Mother of Consolation and Octave of St. Augustine, the present magnificent

   30 THE GAILLIV.

   Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 15

5. River Gaillimh dried up for a day in 1178

   Galway · city · Galway · 1178

   A strange event occurred in the year 1178 when the river Gaillimh was dried up for the period of a natural day. This was one of several unusual natural phenomena recorded for the river.

   Read the passage

   A strange event occurred in the year 1178, when the river Gaillimh was dried up for the period of a natural day.

   A similar event happened in the year 1191, when the historian states that a hatchet of abnormal dimensions was found in the bed of the river.

   Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 21

   As the companion tells it

   The river Gaillimh runs through Galway, the city you're passing. In 1178, this river dried up for a natural day. A later strange event came in 1191, when a hatchet of abnormal dimensions was found in the bed of the river.

6. 1361 murage charter for Galway

   Galway · city · Galway · 1361

   A murage charter of 1361, granted at the request of Elizabeth, Countess of Ulster, allowed Galway to collect customs on saleable commodities for five years to enclose the town. The original charter remains on record in the Tower of London and lists duties on corn, fish, hides, cloth, wine, and other goods.

   Read the passage

   " The King to the bailiffs and good men of Galvy in Ireland, greeting — At the request of our beloved daughter Elizabeth, Countess of Ulster, we have granted to you in aid of the inclosing the said town, that for five years next following you may take for saleable commodities coming to the town aforesaid, the following customs, viz. :

   Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 23

7. Giant hatchet found in the bed of the river Gaillimh

   Galway · city · Galway · 1191

   In the year 1191, a similar unusual event happened when the historian states that a hatchet of abnormal dimensions was found in the bed of the river Gaillimh. This discovery followed the earlier drying up of the river in 1178.

   Read the passage

   A similar event happened in the year 1191, when the historian states that a hatchet of abnormal dimensions was found in the bed of the river.

   For a clear account of the history of Galway for the next few decades we cannot do better than give verbatim Hardiman's account ol it : —

   Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 21

8. Roscam parish church confirmed to Augustinian friars (1517)

   near Roscam · street · Galway · 1517

   In 1517 Richard Edmund de Burgo confirmed the parish church of Roscam, with its cemetery and adjoining lands called Ternahalle and Gortinagart, to the Augustinian friars of the new monastery of Galway in perpetuity, to pray for his soul and those of his ancestors.

   Read the passage

   The lands by east of Galway bequeathed in this will wTere as follows : — First Gortmetre. (2) Gorty Norlonte, (3) Keloge ni Mallie, (4) Kyloge Costraha, (5) Gorty Nomina in Renmore, (6) Gortinvoloyn, (7) Gortin Jalem, (8) Gortin sought Naura, (9), Kelognilitte hard by Temple Mary, God S. Besides these lands, which were immediately attached to the monastery, were others in different parts of the county, which, too, were bequeathed to the friars and held by them for several years. Amongst such property was the well-known Abbey of Roscam, with the cemetery and land adjoining, as is clear from the following quotation from Hardiman : — " 1517, July 17th. Richard Edmund de Burgo confirmed unto Richard Nangle, sacrae paginae professori, of the order of the hermits of St. Augustine, and to Father Donat O'Maille, prior of the same convent of the new monastery of Galway, of the same order, and to their successors in free and perpetual alms for ever, his parish church of Roscam, in the diocess of Enaghdowne, with the cemetery on the west part of the wall of said church, a certain parcel of land near the same, called Ternahalle, situate in breadth to the great stones in the west of Ternahille, and in length from the sea upwards to the wall near the wood, and also another large tract, commonly called Gortinagart, with liberty of pasture for eight cows and six horses, to pray for the souls of himself, his parents, and successors."

   The sons of Augustine were not long to enjoy in peace their handsome monastery, or reap the produce of their fertile lands. Thirty-six years after the foundation of the abbey, dark clouds of persecution gathered round ; and about the year 1545 the storm

   Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 6

9. St. Augustine Abbey origin of Forthill Fort

   Forthill · site · Donegal

   The Fort of Forthill at Galway had originally been a monastery of the Augustinian order. The abbey and monastery of St. Augustine remained standing even after the fort was destroyed.

   Read the passage

   " Colonel John Bourke appointed commaunder in chiefe in Connaught, whose affaires were too lowe brought by the private workinge of Clanricarde and Coote that none showed his face in the field against a poore little partie of very Conaght men that served under Coote's commande (this Coote and Clanricarde are cossen germans by their mothers). This brave saoldier by real assistance of the well affected of Galwaie made up a considerable partie, and out of hand did leaguer the Byall forte of Galwaie, which was then by Clanricarde' s meanes verie strong and pernitious to the borderinge Irish, though many rubs happened as well to hinder his promotion as the intended service, yett bv his owne vigilante care he battered and won the forte, giving the defendants quarter of theire lives. This peece of service have Colonel John Bourke achieved to the exceeding content of Galwaie men (which was Clanrickarde's vy upon the town) and to his proper honour and fame, after the fort was in his possesion, rased the same level unto the greunde. This forte in ancient time had been a inonasterie af Sainte Augustins order, i

   The Town, however, was not long suffered to enjoy the fruits of its victory. We havo seen how, from the advent of the first Anglo-Norman settlers, unswerving loyalty to the Crown was ever its most striking characteristic, and brought with it its reward ; but now a new era was fast approaching when the very

   Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 30

10. 1374 writ for murage accounts of Galway

    Galway · city · Galway · 1374

    A writ issued to the Sheriff of Connaught to distrain the provost and bailiffs of Galway until they rendered an account of the murage and pavage levied on all saleable commodities coming to the town. This renewed the earlier murage charter of 1361.

    Read the passage

    " This murage charter was afterwards renewed, and on the '20th of October, 1374, a writ issued to the Sheriff of Connaught, to distrain the provest and bailiffs of Galvy, by all their lands and chattels, until they should render an account of the murage and pavage by them levied and renewed, of all saleable commodities coming to the town." — Rot. Man. 48 Edw. III. The next murage charter, that of 1396, cites a much larger list of articles than that of '61, and thus furnishes valuable evidence as to the continued increase of the town in commercial prosperity. The granting of this charter marks the beginning of a new epoch in the history of Galway. Hitherto the town was a corporation by prescription, being governed by magistrates appointed by the De Burgos, but now the King, " so that merchants might be the more induced and encouraged to reside and dwell in the town for the better resisting its enemies and rebels," granted and gave license to the provost and burgesses, their heirs and successors for ever, yearly to elect amongst themselves a sovereign. Many other privileges of minor importance were also included.

    Under the new arrangements the prosperity of the town materially increased, and alone among the Irish towns of that era wealth and contentment seem to have been the portion of the Galway people.

    Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 24

11. 1412 burning of Galway by O'Ferghail

    Galway · city · Galway · 1412

    In 1412, according to the Annals of Lough Ce, a war was waged by O'Ferghail with foreigners and the town of Gaillmh was burned. This was a serious attack on the settlement.

    Read the passage

    Their cup of bappiness was not always without its drop of bitterness, however. " In 1412," say the Annals of Lough Ce, " a war was waged by O'Ferghail with foreigners. . . . The

    48 THE GAILLIV.

    Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 24

    As the companion tells it

    You're coming through Galway now. In 1412, the Annals of Lough Ce record that O'Ferghail waged war with foreigners, and the town was burned. The source calls it a drop of bitterness in the town's cup of happiness.

12. 1553 settlement deed involving Archbishop of Tuam

    Tuam · town · Galway · 1553

    In 1553 a settlement deed was arranged between Walter Welleck and Richard and Nicholas Blake, approved by the Lord Chancellor. The Archbishop of Tuam was appointed to receive the fine imposed, with the document signed by Chancellor Thomas Cusack, Archbishop Christopher of Tuam, and attorney Robert Dillon.

    Read the passage

    In 1553 there was a settlement deed between Walter Welleck and Kichard and Nicholas Blake, by the Lord Chancellor approved of, and the Archbishop of Tuam is appointed to receive the tine imposed, and the document is duly signed on the 6th of April by Thomas Cusack, Chancellor, and Christopher, Archbishop of Tuam, and Robert Dillon, an attorney.

    There is a document relatiug to the Blakes, dated 1315, respecting the lands of Kiltullagh, bestowing these lands upon Richard Caddell or Biake, and securing them in perpetuum contra omnes homines et feminas.

    Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 38

13. Augustinian monastery lands extended east to Renmore

    Rinmore · townland · Galway · 1508–1600

    Large and fertile tracts of land were attached to the Augustinian monastery at Forthill, embracing all the land for miles to the east, including the moorlands and those of Renmore. The larger part of this property belonged to Stephen Lynch Fitz-Dominick, who bestowed it on the convent of St. Augustine.

    Read the passage

    The building must have been a very handsome one indeed, for in a work written by the Eev. John Lynch, in the year 1668, we are told that the southern side was built of polished green marble, whilst Hardiman, speaking on the same subject, says — " It appears" (the monastery of St. Augustine) " as delineated on the well-known map of old Galway, to have been a spacious and beautiful Gothic structure, crowning our magnificent bay, and conspicuously ornamental to the country." Not only was the building a handsome one, but also occupied a magnificent position, commanding, as Hardiman says, " a fine prospect of the bay, the surrounding mountains, and the three distant islands of Arran. Attached to this monastery were large and fertile tracts of land, with which beneficent friends, imitating the example of Margaret A thy, endowed the Augustinian Friars. These lands embraced all for miles to the east, including what are now known as the moorlands, together with those of Eenmore. The larger part of this property belonged to Stephen Lynch Pitz-Dominick, and was by him bestowed on the convent of St. Augustine, as may be seen from the following interesting will : —

    " Item — I desire my loving children, after my death, to be kind unto all those for whom they ought, and chiefly to love one another, if need were to death ; and then so doing fco give them my blessing, praying them to take vigilant heed of the honestie of the college and vicars of the same, and also St. Augustine's place on the hill, obtained in my and my wife Margaret by name, with

    Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 5

14. Galway civic sword and mace with mayoral inscriptions

    Galway · city · Galway · 1712–1841

    The sword and mace of Galway bear inscriptions naming various mayors from the Revett, Shaw, and Blake families across the 18th and 19th centuries. The mace was donated by Edward Eyre, Mayor of Galway, in 1712, and both relics were preserved by descendants of the last Mayor of Galway.

    Read the passage

    " Ex dono Edwardk Eyre, Mayor de Gallway. An. Dom. 1712." It may be added that these interesting relics are carefully preserved by the surviving members of the family of the last Mayor of Galway.

    We give the inscription just as it is on the sword, though some of the latin is not correct.

    Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 35

15. Rating Hannin gives Galway possessions to John Blake, 1394

    Athenry · town · Galway · 1394

    In 1394, Rating Hannin of Galway gave John Blake all his possessions in Galway. The document was witnessed by James, deacon of the Cathedral of Tuam, at Athenry on the Feast of St. Andrew in the second year of Richard II.

    Read the passage

    Another in 1394 from one Rating Hannin of Galway, giving John Blake all his possessions in Galway, witnessed by James, deacon of the Cathedral of Tuam at Athenry, on the Feast of St. Andrew, in the second year of Richard II.

    We next find an inventory of the goods of John Blake, and his last will, dated 1420. He speaks of his son Walter, and of the lands held by his tenants, who are all named and described in this style (the document, as all the preceding, and indeed most documents of that time being in Latin.) — " Item Thadeus O'Mlheyn tenetur," &c, and so on describing the different takes. The form of the will is exactly the same as is used to-day. It opens thus — " I, John Blake, a man of good memory, burgess of Galway, now about to die, and being of sound mind this day, &c." The will is sworn before " Nos Johannes, Dei et Apostolice sedis gratia, Archiepiscopus Tuamensis," and the entry thus runs— " We, John, by the grace of God and of the Apostolic See, Archbishop of Tuam, this testament of John Blake being exhibited

    Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 38

16. Arable lands at Renmore given to St. Augustine's friars

    Rinmore · townland · Galway

    Among the lands east of Galway bequeathed to St. Augustine's Abbey was a parcel called Gorty Nomina in Renmore, along with other plots at Gortmetre, Temple Mary, and several Gortin townlands.

    Read the passage

    The lands by east of Galway bequeathed in this will wTere as follows : — First Gortmetre. (2) Gorty Norlonte, (3) Keloge ni Mallie, (4) Kyloge Costraha, (5) Gorty Nomina in Renmore, (6) Gortinvoloyn, (7) Gortin Jalem, (8) Gortin sought Naura, (9), Kelognilitte hard by Temple Mary, God S. Besides these lands, which were immediately attached to the monastery, were others in different parts of the county, which, too, were bequeathed to the friars and held by them for several years. Amongst such property was the well-known Abbey of Roscam, with the cemetery and land adjoining, as is clear from the following quotation from Hardiman : — " 1517, July 17th. Richard Edmund de Burgo confirmed unto Richard Nangle, sacrae paginae professori, of the order of the hermits of St. Augustine, and to Father Donat O'Maille, prior of the same convent of the new monastery of Galway, of the same order, and to their successors in free and perpetual alms for ever, his parish church of Roscam, in the diocess of Enaghdowne, with the cemetery on the west part of the wall of said church, a certain parcel of land near the same, called Ternahalle, situate in breadth to the great stones in the west of Ternahille, and in length from the sea upwards to the wall near the wood, and also another large tract, commonly called Gortinagart, with liberty of pasture for eight cows and six horses, to pray for the souls of himself, his parents, and successors."

    The sons of Augustine were not long to enjoy in peace their handsome monastery, or reap the produce of their fertile lands. Thirty-six years after the foundation of the abbey, dark clouds of persecution gathered round ; and about the year 1545 the storm

    Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 6

17. Blake lands secured at Athenry, 1391

    Athenry · town · Galway · 1391

    A document dated 1391, attested at Athenry, secured lands in the forensic (borough) of Athenry to the Blake family, concerning Philip, son of Walter Blake. This records the Blakes' property interests in Athenry.

    Read the passage

    There is another document dated 1391, respecting Philip, son of Walter Blake, attested at Athenry, securing to the Blakes lands in forencico de Athenry.

    Another in 1394 from one Rating Hannin of Galway, giving John Blake all his possessions in Galway, witnessed by James, deacon of the Cathedral of Tuam at Athenry, on the Feast of St. Andrew, in the second year of Richard II.

    Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 38

18. Kiltullagh lands bestowed on Richard Caddell Blake, 1315

    Kiltullagh · townland · Galway · 1315

    A document dated 1315 relating to the Blake family bestowed the lands of Kiltullagh upon Richard Caddell or Blake, securing them in perpetuity against all men and women. This is one of the earliest surviving Blake family land records.

    Read the passage

    There is a document relatiug to the Blakes, dated 1315, respecting the lands of Kiltullagh, bestowing these lands upon Richard Caddell or Biake, and securing them in perpetuum contra omnes homines et feminas.

    There is another document dated 1391, respecting Philip, son of Walter Blake, attested at Athenry, securing to the Blakes lands in forencico de Athenry.

    Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 38

19. Sir Thomas Rotheram appointed Governor of Forthill fort

    Forthill · site · Donegal · 1603

    After the fort on Forthill was completed, Sir Thomas Rotheram was appointed Governor on 8 May 1603. His patent recited the king's need for a commander to punish evil subjects and defend loyal ones residing in Galway and at St. Augustine's Fort.

    Read the passage

    of the walls, which completely commanded the town and harbour, and afterwards became one of the most considerable fortifications in the kingdom. . . . The fort being at length finished, Sir Thomas Rotheram, knight, was appointed Governor on the 8th of May, 1603. His patent recites that the king, as

    FORTHILL CEMETERY. I

    Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav

20. Sir Valentine Blake, first Baronet of Menlo, 1625

    near Menlo · street · Galway · 1625

    Sir Valentine Blake was created the first Baronet of Menlo on 10 July 1625. His great-grandfather, Valentine Blake, whose will dated 12 July 1499 is still preserved, was identified as a common ancestor of the testator John Blake.

    Read the passage

    The above-mentioned Sir Valentine Blake was the first Baronet of Menlo (creation 10th July, 1625). Sir Valentine's great-grand-father, Valentine Blake, who was also a " comon ancestor" of the testator, was the Valentine Blake whose Will dated 12th July, 1499, is also still preserved.

    GALWAY A GREAT PLACE OF LEARNING IN THE SEVENTEENTH

    Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 39

21. Forthill existed by 1500 A.D.

    Forthill · site · Donegal · 1500

    While nearly all ancient documents relating to Forthill were lost or destroyed in penal times, surviving evidence confirms the site existed by 1500 A.D. Only a meagre history can be reconstructed from the few documents that remain.

    Read the passage

    Regarding the age of Forthill it is impossible to say anything very definite, as nearly all the more ancient documents were either lost or destroyed in penal times, and from the few which now remain but a very meagre history indeed can be gathered. That it existed in the year 1500 A.D. there cannot be any doubt.

    Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 2

22. Col. Eyre appointed Governor of Galway, 1747

    Galway · city · Galway · 1747

    Col. Eyre was appointed Governor of Galway in 1747 and proved a bitter opponent of Catholics. He wrote of the difficulty of governing when Egyptians outnumbered them 30 to 1, and disparaged the Corporation members as men of little property or standing.

    Read the passage

    Col. Eyre was appointed Governor of Galway in 1747. He appears to have been, according to his own lights, a well-meaning man, but he was throughout a most bitter and bigotted opponent of the Catholics. Shortly after his appointment he wrote — " I act with all possible caution, and heaven knows how difficult it is to carry my cup, even when the Egyptians outnumber us 30 to 1." He had not much opinion of his co-religionists in the town. He writes of the Corporation — " All put together, have not £1,000 property in the world. The mayor is the son of a man who was my Lord Trawley's footman. One sheriff is a beggar, the other a shoemaker, and a poor one. Alderman Ellis is a broken dragoon, and the Deputy Recorder a poor antiquated man of 70, who is supported by the Papists.

    The most extraordinary feature about this state of affairs is, the that town continued almost wholly Catholic, and to them, and them alone, was due the little commercial life left. When the oppression became so stringent as to make open trading impossible, smuggling took its place. When the laws were relaxed, almost immediately the harbour filled with the vessels from various parts of the world.

    Internet Archive gaillivillustrat00trav, Chapter 33