Galway

Little History: A small village was established on the site of Galway in 12th century. The area was of little importance until the 13th century, when it was taken over by the Anglo-Normans under the leadership of the powerful de Burgo family. The de Burgos erected a castle as a defense against the native Irish, especially the O'Flahertys and the O'Hallorans.

Mercenaries who accompanied the de Burgos were the founders of the 14 "Tribes of Galway": Athy, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, D'Arcy, Deane, Ffont, Ffrench, Joyce, Kirwin, Lynch, Martin, Morns, and Skerret. These tribes went on to dominate the city until as late as the 19th century. As a result, the community stood as an English-speaking bastion in the midst of the native Gaelic-speaking surrounding territories. Above the West Gate to the city were carved the words, "From the fury of the O'Flahertys, Good Lord deliver us!"

The city walls were under construction by 1280. The 13th and 14th centuries witnessed a tremendous expansion of trade that ranged as far abroad as Spain, Italy, and the Middle East. During the late 14th and 15th centuries, the native Irish reclaimed much of the land they had lost to the Anglo-Normans. Galway developed an indepedence that brings to mind the powerful city states of Renaissance Italy. A major fire destroyed much of the city in 1473, as did another in 1500. Galway was rebuilt of stone. This is the period from which many of Galway's remaining Medieval features date.

Cromwell's Parliamentary forces laid siege to Galway on July 8, 1651. The siege lasted until April 12, 1652, when famine and disease forced Galway to surrender. To this day, the name of Cromwell is reviled in the city. The town was sacked again by English troops in 1691. Galway went into a decline that was not to be reversed until tourism became a major industry in the late 20th century.

	Galway Little History: A small village was established on the site of Galway in 12th century. The area was of little importance until the 13th century, when it was taken over by the Anglo-Normans under the leadership of the powerful de Burgo family. The de Burgos erected a castle as a defense against the native Irish, especially the O'Flahertys and the O'Hallorans. Mercenaries who accompanied the de Burgos were the founders of the 14 "Tribes of Galway": Athy, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, D'Arcy, Deane, Ffont, Ffrench, Joyce, Kirwin, Lynch, Martin, Morns, and Skerret. These tribes went on to dominate the city until as late as the 19th century. As a result, the community stood as an English-speaking bastion in the midst of the native Gaelic-speaking surrounding territories. Above the West Gate to the city were carved the words, "From the fury of the O'Flahertys, Good Lord deliver us!" The city walls were under construction by 1280. The 13th and 14th centuries witnessed a tremendous expansion of trade that ranged as far abroad as Spain, Italy, and the Middle East. During the late 14th and 15th centuries, the native Irish reclaimed much of the land they had lost to the Anglo-Normans. Galway developed an indepedence that brings to mind the powerful city states of Renaissance Italy. A major fire destroyed much of the city in 1473, as did another in 1500. Galway was rebuilt of stone. This is the period from which many of Galway's remaining Medieval features date. Cromwell's Parliamentary forces laid siege to Galway on July 8, 1651. The siege lasted until April 12, 1652, when famine and disease forced Galway to surrender. To this day, the name of Cromwell is reviled in the city. The town was sacked again by English troops in 1691. Galway went into a decline that was not to be reversed until tourism became a major industry in the late 20th century.	Above: The whole facade of this building is Medieval. Medieval buildings still being used today Below: Details from a 16th castle, now being used as a bank.
Galway bay with the Spanish Arch in the distance
The Spanish Arch The Claddagh	The Spanish Arch: This stone gate was built as an extension to the town walls in 1564. It was given it's name because Spanish ships and their crews were forced to stop there; the town didn't trust the Spaniards inside the city walls.
The Spanish Arch The Claddagh	The Claddagh: This pattern, one of Ireland's most noted symbols, is a heart with a crown at the top and a pair of hands on either side. The heart represents love, the crown loyalty, and the hands friendship. It's little wonder the Claddagh has become a favorite wedding ring pattern. Travel Log - Clothing: Ireland is blue-jean casual pretty much everywhere except perhaps Dublin or Belfast. We went in some of the nicest restaurants, including in Galway, in jeans and boots and didn't stand out a bit.
	Our Comments: Galway is a strange mixture of new "college town" and old Medieval City. While in Galway we shopped 'til we dropped, spending all day walking through the city! We followed a map of the city that pointed out the remaining Medieval remnants in the storefronts as can be seen in a couple of pictures on this page. Later, while exiting a local music store, Jeff nearly ran into the lead singer from the Counting Crows, Adam Duritz, as he walked by. We later saw signs advertising that they were performing at a festival in town that night.
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