The history of the town and county of the town of Galway, from the earliest period to the present time (vol. n/a)

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. Shamefully neglected streets of Galway

   Galway · city · Galway

   Galway's streets were described as perhaps the worst paved and least attended to in the country, with numerous holes in the pavement and heaps of accumulated dirt making them nearly impassable, especially on dark winter nights. The author called for a local parliamentary tax for paving, lighting, cleansing and establishing a nightly watch.

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   From these pleasing prospects of improvement, it is painful to turn to the shamefully neglected state of the streets, which, for many years past, have been perhaps the worst paved, and least attended to, of any other in this country. From the numerous holes in the pavement, and the heaps of accumulated dirt with which they are almost continually filled, many streets are often nearly impassable, particularly in dark winter nights, when it is absolutely hazardous to venture abroad. Surely these are subjects which require the most serious and immediate attention. Although much has been said about the misapplication of the tolls and customs, which by the charters were to be applied "to the walling and paving of the town," yet it should be considered that there is not now, nor has there been for many years past (since the unprincipled alienation of the corporation property), any other fund whereout to defray the salaries of the mayor and the other municipal officers. The only remedy, therefore, for this daily increasing evil appears to be that of a local tax, to be imposed by the authority of parliament, for paving, lighting, and cleansing the streets and for establishing a sufficient police to keep a nightly watch. The advantages which the inhabitants, after a little experience, would find themselves to enjoy, would be so considerable, and the rateable contribution on each individual so trifling, that it is hoped this salutary and indispensable measure may be speedily carried into effect, with prudence, economy and zeal, for the improvement and interest of the town.

   4. — Population.

   Internet Archive historyoftowncouhard, Chapter 228

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Galway, the streets here were once described as perhaps the worst paved and least attended to in the whole country. For many years they were full of holes in the pavement and heaps of accumulated dirt, so that many streets were often nearly impassable, particularly on dark winter nights, when it was absolutely hazardous to venture abroad. An observer writing about the town called these conditions shamefully neglected and said they required the most serious and immediate attention. Much had been said about the misapplication of tolls and customs, which by the charters were to be applied, in the source's words, to the walling and paving of the town. But those funds had long been the only money available to pay the salaries of the mayor and the other municipal officers, ever since what the author called the unprincipled alienation of the corporation property. The only remedy he could see was a local tax imposed by parliament, for paving, lighting and cleansing the streets, and for establishing a sufficient police to keep a nightly watch. He hoped the measure would be carried into effect with prudence, economy and zeal, for the improvement and interest of the town.

2. Singular tenures of Galway's old buildings

   Galway · city · Galway

   Several old buildings in Galway had unusual multiple-landlord tenures. A house in Abbeygate-street was held in fee by three separate landlords, and the Salmon-house in High-street had its stone stairs and two closets owned by Edward Jones while the remainder belonged to Mr. Montgomery.

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   The singular tenures of several of these old buildings are worth noticing : — A large house in Abbeygate-street is the estate, in fee, of three several landlords ; the upper part belongs to the family of Darcy of Kiltolla. half the under story to the reverend James Ffrench, and the (remainder of the house to Mr. Patrick Francis, by purchase from the late celebrated dean Kirwan. A small shop nearly opposite the Exchange is the estate in fee of Miss Chawner, of Tipperary, and the remainder of the house belongs to Mr. Richard Burke in fee simple. The fee of another shop, in the same street, is vested in Mr. Dominick Ffrench ; that of the remainder of the house is in the Joyes' family. In

   the old building in High-street, commonly called the Salmon-house, the stone stairs leading to the new coffee-room, with two adjoining closets, is the estate of Edward Jones, esq., of Roscommon, and the remainder of the same house belongs in fee simple to Mr. Montgomery. An apartment at the rear of Lynch' s Castle, in Shop-street, is the estate of colonel Anthony Ffrench ; the rest of the building is the fee property of the Staunton family. There are many other similar tenures throughout the town, and they are generally held under distinct original titles.

   Internet Archive historyoftowncouhard

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Galway, the old buildings here had some extraordinary tenures. A large house in Abbeygate-street was held in fee by three separate landlords at once. The upper part belonged to the Darcy family of Kiltolla, half the lower story to the Reverend James Ffrench, and the remainder to Mr. Patrick Francis, who had bought it from the late celebrated Dean Kirwan. A small shop near the Exchange was the fee estate of Miss Chawner of Tipperary, while the rest of that house belonged to Mr. Richard Burke. Another shop in the same street had its fee vested in Mr. Dominick Ffrench, and the remainder of the house in the Joyes family. The old building in High-street, commonly called the Salmon-house, was split too: the stone stairs leading to the new coffee-room, with two adjoining closets, were the estate of Edward Jones of Roscommon, and the remainder of the house belonged in fee simple to Mr. Montgomery. An apartment at the rear of Lynch's Castle in Shop-street was Colonel Anthony Ffrench's estate, while the rest of that building was the fee property of the Staunton family. Many similar tenures ran throughout the town, generally held under distinct original titles.

3. Spanish Parade: Spanish merchants' assembly square

   Galway · city · Galway

   The Spanish Parade was a small square at the south-west corner of Galway town where Spanish merchants formerly assembled. Good houses were built there, reflecting the town's historic Spanish trade connections.

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   Although most of the dwelling-houses are old, there are, however, several excellent private buildings interspersed throughout the town. Amongst these the following will attract particular attention : — the handsome dwelling of Mr. Daly, the late mayor, situate in Back-street (which street was so called from its backward situation), and that opposite to it, built by the late Martin Lynch; the elegant dwellings and spacious stores, in the same street, built by Messrs. Walter and John Joyce; the residence of the late Lord Ffrench, facing Middle-street (so named from its central situation); the large houses in Shop-street (so called because in this street the first shops were opened), built by the late Nicholas Lynch, of Barna; and those recently raised by Mr. Morgan Connolly; the new buildings and shops erected by Mr. Thomas Hynes, on the site of the old free-school, in Highstreet (a street so termed from its high or elevated situation); the handsome houses in Watergate-street, built by the late Nicholas Burke Edmond; several good houses at the Spanish-parade (a small square at the S.W. corner of the town, where the Spanish merchants were formerly accustomed to assemble); those built by the late Michael Rush at the churchyard leading to Lombard-street (a part of the town so called from the Lombards, a mercantile people of Italy, who formerly resorted here for the purpose of traffic).7 To these, as more recent improvements, may He added the road in the east suburbs, leading by Erasmus Smith's new school to Oranmore, the alterations making by Mr. Eyre at the green, the projected quay, the handsome bridge lately built over the river at Newtown-Smith, and the intended street to the new court-house, which, with many other private buildings in progress, add considerably to the extent and appearance of the town.

   Internet Archive historyoftowncouhard, Chapter 227

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Galway, the Spanish Parade sits at the south-west corner of the old town. It was a small square where Spanish merchants formerly assembled, and several good houses stood there. The town had many such fine private buildings, built by men like Martin Lynch, Nicholas Burke Edmond, and Michael Rush, scattered through streets named for their situation or their first inhabitants. The Spanish presence here was part of Galway's wider mercantile character, where traders from Italy and Spain came for the purpose of traffic, and the Lombards gave their name to Lombard-street. The town was growing in more recent times too, with new roads, a handsome bridge over the river at Newtown-Smith, a projected quay, and an intended street leading to the new court-house, all adding to its extent and appearance.

4. Subterranean passages beneath old Galway houses

   Galway · city · Galway

   Under many of the old houses in Galway there were subterranean passages extending a considerable distance beyond the town walls. These were evidently intended for escape or refuge during sieges or other dangers in the early times.

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   in Middle-street, in which the assemblies are at present held ; Joyes' or Joyce's house, at the corner of Market-street, in Abbeygate-street. This family was the head of the name. Kitrwan's mansion, facing the south aisle and tower of the church ; the court of the Lynches, of Castlecarra, built in the Spanish style, at the corner of Abbeygate-street; the Martins', of Gregans, dwelling in Marketstreet, nearly opposite the Franciscan convent; that of the Martins, of Gort-naclevy at the corner of Watergate-street, near the Dominican convent ; and the Skerritts' ancient residence, which faced the south side of the church. The arms of these different families may be seen in buildings, together with the names of the many places sculptured in stone on these founders and the dates of their erection. Under many of these old houses there are

   Internet Archive historyoftowncouhard, Chapter 227

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Galway, the old houses here hold more than meets the eye. Beneath many of them, including the Joyce mansion at the corner of Market Street and the Lynches' Spanish-style court at Abbeygate Street, there are subterranean passages extending a considerable distance beyond the town walls. They were evidently intended for escape or refuge during sieges or other dangers in the early times. The arms of the families who built these houses, the Joyces, the Lynches, the Martins, the Skerritts, may still be seen sculptured in stone on the buildings, with the names of places and the dates of their erection.

5. Wood-quay as limit of navigation from the sea

   Woodquay · street · Galway

   The River Corrib is not navigable from the sea to Wood-quay owing to shallowness and rapidity, though above Wood-quay boats drawing four feet can navigate to Cong. The fall from the summit level of the lake to Wood-quay above the town is trifling.

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   1 The importance of this extensive lake towards facilitating the internal navigation of the western parts of Ireland was briefly pointed out in a preceding note. Here a few interesting and, to this part of the kingdom, highly valuable extracts, on th» same subject, will be given, principally from the reports of the scientific and ingenious Mr. Alexandei Nimmo to parliament, on the survey of the bogs of this district. The lake (which, according to these reports, has 50 miles of shore, occupies 30 000 Irish acres, and contains about 1,000 acres of arable land in its isles) . contracts into a very spacious river about 21 miles above Galway, which, flowing by the town, communicates with the Atlantic. The fall from the summit level of the lake to the sea is considerable ; but to the Wood-quay, above the town, it is trifling, and the river is in parts very shallow running over a bed of rocks and hard gravel. It is not navigable from the sea to the Wood-quay owing to the shallowness and the rapidity of the water, and none but small boats can come down ; but, unless in very dry seasons, it is thence navigable by boats drawing four feet of

   Internet Archive historyoftowncouhard, Chapter 226

   As the companion tells it

   Along here at Wood-quay, the River Corrib marked the limit of navigation from the sea. The reports of Mr. Alexander Nimmo to parliament described how Lough Corrib, with 50 miles of shore and 30,000 Irish acres, contracts into a spacious river about 21 miles above Galway, flowing by the town to the Atlantic. The fall from the summit level of the lake to the sea is considerable, but to this point above the town it is trifling. The river runs in parts very shallow over a bed of rocks and hard gravel, so it is not navigable from the sea owing to the shallowness and rapidity of the water. Only small boats can come down. But unless in very dry seasons, from this point upstream, boats drawing four feet can navigate toward Cong.

6. Andrew French of Galway emigrates to Spain with his sons

   Galway · city · Galway · 1604

   In 1604, Andrew French, a native of Galway reduced in his circumstances, departed for Spain with his sons Edmond and Geoffrey. The sons rose to eminence there, with Geoffrey becoming governor of a fortress in the West Indies and admiral of the Spanish fleet.

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   In the year 1604, Andrew French, a native of Galway, (being reduced in his circumstances,) went with his sons, Edmond and Geoffrey, to Spain, where they soon rose to eminence : the latter was appointed governor of a considerable fortress in the West Indies, and his brother receiver of the king's plate; he was also honoured with the order of knighthood of Saint Jago, and finally became admiral of the Spanish fleet, which annually brought home the treasures firom the West Indies.

   His son Anthony was chosen One of his majesty's pages in ordinary, and, having commanded a troop of horse in the war against France, he was taken prisoner, but was soon after ransomed for a considerable sum by the king's orders. He died without issue, but left a sister honourably married in Spain. — Annals.

   Internet Archive historyoftowncouhard, Chapter 173

7. Fire of 1500 consumes much of Galway

   Galway · city · Galway · 1500

   An accidental fire in 1500 consumed a great part of the town of Galway, temporarily impeding the improvements then underway. The inhabitants soon repaired their losses and went on to beautify the town with superb structures bearing dates and inscriptions.

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   The corporate regulations already detailed infused new spirit and vigour among the inhabitants. Several useful and considerable works were now undertaken by the corporation; and, in the mayoralty of Andrew Lynch Fitz-Stephen, in 1498, the important communication from Lough-athalia to Poulavorline, which would have opened an easy passage from Lough-corrib to the sea, (and which is still so desirable,) was commenced, but never completed. The remains of this useful, but neglected, work are yet visible, and are distinguishd by the name of " Lynch' s Folly." In the same year the curfew-bell was introduced, and a considerable part of the fortifications from the shoemaker s-tower to the quay was bulit. These improvements were for a while impeded by an accidental fire which took place in 1500, and consumed a great part of the town. The inhabitants, however, soon repaired these losses, and afterwards, from time to time, beautified the town with several most superb structures, many of which remain entire to this day; bearing dates and inscriptions which generally contain the names of their founders, and denote the particular periods of their erection..

   The town had hitherto, for a considerable time, enjoyed the blessings of peace, except the predatory attempts of the Irish may be deemed exceptions; but William de Burgo, O'Brien of Thomond, M'Namara, O'Carroll and other chieftains, having in 1504 risen in arms, they suddenly invested and took possession of the town. Gearld, earl of Kildare, the lord deputy, assisted by O'Neal O'Donnell and others, marched against them with a considerable force : both armies met at the hill of Knoc-tuadh, about seven miles N.W. of Galway; and although the Irish army is stated to have been the most numerous that had asembled since the arrival of the English, it was routed with dreadful slaughter; Mac William and the other leaders were taken prisoners, and the towns of Galway and Athenry surrendered. 23

   Internet Archive historyoftowncouhard, Chapter 69

8. Galway by-laws regulate begging at festival times

   Galway · city · Galway · 1591–1596

   Galway by-laws forbade porters, harpers, messengers, millers, bakers, butchers, nurses, and craftsmen from coming to any man's house at festival times or otherwise to crave bonbridge, offering, meat, or drink, on pain of imprisonment and loss of a crown for both giver and offender.

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   That neither porters, harpers, messengers, millers, bakers, bowchers, or any nowrses, or any kynde of craftsman, do at no festivall tymes, or at any other tyme, come to any man is howse, to crave either for benbridgej offringe, meate, or any drinke, by any way whatsoever, in vayne, on payne of imprisonment and loss of a crowne, as well of the giver as also of the offender.

   That yf any honest mane's wiffe be convided (invited), that she bringe noe more in hir company but one, on payne of a crowne.

   Internet Archive historyoftowncouhard, Chapter 172

9. Galway fishermen granted market provisioning priority

   Galway · city · Galway · 1591–1596

   Galway by-laws prohibited fishermen from taking up plough, spade, or scythe work that would bar them from fishing, and required that they and their families be reasonably served before others with necessary food provisions from the market, so they could better earn their living by fishing.

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   That no sea-men or sea-man, or, as I would say, fisher-men or nisher-man, do take in hande either the plowgbe, spade, or teithe, that would barr them from fyshinge, bothe to serve themselves and the comon wealthe with fyshe, in consideration whereof that the said fisshers and their wiffs and famylie be reasonable served before others with all necessarie sustenunc and foode of provition as cometh to the market, whereby they mought be the bettre hable to erne their said livinges that wayj and have the better hope.

   That, according to thauncient statuts, the recourse of the runynge water, thats to say, the little geate ditche water, all alonge that intrethe throughe Nicholas Linche' s mill, and the water that intrethe into the gutt, all alonge to the yssuing out of the same in Martine's mill, be allwayes keapt cleane, as well within the walls as without.

   Internet Archive historyoftowncouhard, Chapter 172

10. Galway mayors deposed for refusing oath of supremacy

    Galway · city · Galway · 1609–1611

    In 1609, Mayor Olipher Browne was deposed for refusing the oath of supremacy, and Thomas Browne was elected in his place but likewise refused and was fined £100. In 1611, Mayor Valentine Blake was also deposed for the same reason by Sir Oliver St. John in the presence of William O'Donnell, archbishop of Tuam.

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    19. This mayor was deposed for refusing to take the oath of supremacy, and Thomas Browne was elected in his place; but he, having also refused to take the oath, wa§ fined £100, and XJlick Lynch

    was chosen for the remainder of the year.

    Internet Archive historyoftowncouhard, Chapter 174

11. Galway's name linked to early Gael merchants and commerce

    Galway · city · Galway

    The town and district of Galway derived their name from the Gael, or merchants, who inhabited the area and were distinguished for trade and commerce from an early period. The name appears in ancient documents as 'Galvy' until around 1400, with the modern form 'Galway' first occurring about 1440.

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    Having thus far dwelt upon the etymology and orthography of the name of Galway, it is now time to conclude a disquisition which has already become tedious, leaving the reader fully at liberty to form or retain his own opinion on the subject. What has been collected, however, appears strongly to support the position, that the town of Galway and the district in which it is situate, were, from an early period, distinguished for trade and commerce, a circumstance from which they derive their name; and, when in addition to these, the excellent situation of the place, its local advantages, and many capabilities for foreign commerce, and inland traffick and navigation, 10 its noble bay, the finest perhaps in the kingdom, and the natural security of its harbour, shall be taken into consideration, power fully corroborative reasons will be found in favour of the same conclusion.

    A curious supposition has been entertained relative to the origina! formation of the bay of Galway, it is related, in one of the old Irish annals, that in the year of the world 1969, there were but three lakes of any conse quence in the whole island, namely, Loch-Foirdream, said to have been at Slievmis, near Tralee, in the County of Kerry, Finloch, the present Loughcarra, in the County of Mayo, and Loch-Lurgan, which is described as a spacious lake between the County of Clare and West Connaught, to the South of Galway, and extending a considerable distance towards the east. This lake is supposed to have been the present bay of Galway, which was once, say the annalists, separated from the ocean by strong banks, until the Atlantic bursting over them and uniting with the water within, formed

    Internet Archive historyoftowncouhard, Chapter 11

12. Galway 'young men' incorporated as body politic

    Galway · city · Galway · 1611

    In 1611, the 'young men' of Galway obtained a charter from the corporation instituting them as a body politic with power to make by-laws. Their captain was privileged to sit next the sheriffs at public meetings and was exempted from taxes, in consideration of keeping watch and ward.

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    In 1611, the "young men" obtained a charter from the corporation, instituting them a body politic of themselves, and empowering them to make by-laws for the good government oj: their company. Their captain" was privileged to sit next the sheriffs at all public meetings, and to be an esquire for the year. They were also exempted from paying taxes: in consideration of which, they were bound to keep watch and ward. — Annals.

    21. This year, no person eligible to the office of mayor could be found in town, who

    Internet Archive historyoftowncouhard, Chapter 174

13. Judge escorts son to execution at eastern extremity of Galway

    Galway · city · Galway

    A judge in Galway steadfastly sentenced his own son to death for murder, spending the night watching him in the dungeon. In the morning, he assisted the executioner and escorted his son through the streets to the usual place of punishment at the eastern extremity of the town.

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    the first rank and influence in town, and solicited to consent to a reprieve i his relations and friends joined in earnest entreaty, beseeching that his blood might not be shed; but the inflexibility of the judge resisted the supplication, and was inexorable. Whatever the inward struggles of the father and the man might have been, the firmness of the patriot was unshaken. He was not to be wrought upon, either by the dread of popular clamour, the odium that it would attach to his name, the prayers and tears of his kneeling family, the undescribable despair of the hapless young lady, or, harder to withstand than all those, the yearnings of a paternal breast : but, with a magnanimity that would have done credit to the sternest hero of Greece or Rome, he himself descended, at night, to the dungeon where his son lay, for the double and direful purpose of announcing to him, that his sentence was to be executed on the following morning, and of watching with him, to prevent the possibility of his escape. One can hardly fancy any thing more appalling than such a vigil as this. He entered, holding a lamp, and accompanied by a priest, (from whom the account was received,) and, locking the gate, kept fast the keys in his hands, and seated himself in a recess of the wall. His son drew near, and, with a faltering tongue, asked if he had any thing to hope; he answered, " No, my son; your life is forfeited to the laws, and at sun-rise you must die. I have prayed for your prosperity, but that is at an end — with the world you have done for ever — were any other but your wretched father your judge, I might have dropped a tear over my child's misfortune, and solicited for his life, even though stained with murder — but you must die — these are the last drops which shall quench the sparks of nature — and, if you dare hope, implore that Heaven may not shut the gates of mercy on the destroyer of his fellow creature. I am now come to join with this good man in petitioning GoD to give you such composure as will enable you to meet your punishment with becoming resignation." Then, as if fearful of relapsing into his natural softness, and of forgetting the great duty he had imposed upon himself, he requested the priest to proceed : they knelt down, and administered the rites of the church to the unhappy criminal, to fortify him for the approaching catastrophe. The young man's native spirit seemed gradually to be restored; he joined fervently in prayer; sighed heavily from time to time; but spoke of life and its concerns no more : and thus, with intervals of silence, the woeful night passed over. It was scarcely day, when the expected summons to prepare was given to the guards without The father rose, and assisted the executioner to remove the irons which still bound his unfortunate son; then, unlocking the door, he ordered him to stand between the priest and himself, and lean upon an arm of each- In this manner they ascended a flight of steps, lined with soldiers, and were passing on to gain the street, where a strong escort had been appointed to receive and go along with them to the usual place of punishment, at the eastern extremity of the town. The concluding scene of the father s struggles and the son's misery was, it might be supposed, now very nigh; but a trial more severe yet awaited them, and the unparalleled firmness of the former was to undergo a still further proof. The relations of the

    Internet Archive historyoftowncouhard, Chapter 68

14. Lady Jacob visits Galway; famous school with hundreds of scholars

    Galway · city · Galway · 1608

    In 1608, Lady Jacob, daughter of Ulick Lynch of Hampton, came to Galway to obtain her pedigree and was received with distinction. At this time a famous school kept by Alexander Lynch in the town contained several hundred scholars.

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    In 1608, Lady Jacob, daughter of TJlick Lynch, of Hampton, came to Galway to obtain her pedigree. Her suite was superb, and she was received with every mark of distinction. At this time, a famous school was kept in the town by one Alexander Lynch, which contained several hundred scholars. — Annals,

    i

    Internet Archive historyoftowncouhard, Chapter 173

15. Royal grant to enclose Galway with a stone wall

    Galway · city · Galway

    A royal grant authorized the provost, bailiffs and commonality of Galway to collect customs and tolls on goods entering or leaving the town, with the proceeds to be spent on enclosing the town with a stone wall and paving its streets. The varied commodities listed in the charter indicate that Galway's foreign and inland trade was already very considerable.

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    situate in the marches, between divers his enemies and rebels, as well as English as Irish, and by their daily incursions very much impoverished,) and, for the preservation of his faithful people therein, to be inclosed with a stone wall, as of the parts adjacent and in aid of the paving of the town, granted to the provost, bailiffs and commonality, and their succesors, that, for all saleable things coming to the town by land or water, or passing from the same, they might take the several customs and tolls therein specified : and he commanded that they should cause the same, from day to day, to be levied, collected, received and had. Provided always, that the produce thereof should be faithfully expended towards the walling and the paving of the town. The various commodities comprised in this charter prove the foreign and inland trade of the town, at this period, to have been very considerable; and, by comparing them with the articles contained in the charter of 1361, commerce will be found to have increased very considerably between both periods.

    Internet Archive historyoftowncouhard, Chapter 57