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The History of Galway
Galway Taxis is pleased to bring you the Concise History of Galway!
The City of Galway was named after the river that runs through
it, though where the river itself got its name is a matter for
conjecture and debate. Some say it is named after the daughter
of a chieftain of one of the tribes, who drowned in it. In the
middle of the twelfth century, the O'Connor Clan built a Dun,
or Fort on the site where Galway now stands. Records indicate
that it was being used as a port even at this stage. The High
king of Munster sent a force to destroy it, successfully, as tribal
feuds were common in early Ireland, but it was rebuilt soon afterwards.
13th Century The Normans under Richard De Burgo invaded and conquered Connaught, taking the Dun from its then owners, the O' Flahertys. Resisting numerous attacks by the O' Flaherty Clan, the De Burgos built a wall around the town, enclosing eventually 25 acres.
14th Century Further walls were built as native Irish power grew, isolating Galway from the other Norman settlements. The church of St. Nicholas was built as Parish church of the town. Charters were granted to Galway by Richard II and Henry IV, with the walls being extended further, and coins were minted.
15th Century The fourteen families of Galway arose during this period, and were granted a writ of freedom from the control of the descendants of the De Burgos, who had more or less gone native by this time. The charter also gave Galway considerable self-government. An elected Warden assisted by eight vicars gave Galway the status of what was essentially a city-state. Two great fires resulted in Galway being rebuilt in stone in this century.
16th Century Galway traded extensively with the continent, especially Spain, trading fish, wool and leather for oil, wine, and other products. The city became extremely wealthy and prospered under a series of mayors drawn from the fourteen families. During the year of the Spanish Armada, two hundred shipwrecked Spaniards were butchered by order of the Lord Deputy.
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