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Galway
The City of the Tribes |
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Ph: 091 770990 |
Acorn Guesthouse |
Fax: 091 771922 |
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Galway
The City of the Tribes |
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| The river Corrib rushes through Galway city, the
sluices, weirs and great structures of the old abandoned
waterside mills on both it's banks giving evidence of one
past source of the city's wealth. Spring-run salmon still
mass below the weirs, attracting anglers and idlers on
the riverside walks. Down by the quays and next to Galway
City Museum, the Spanish Arch marks the old fish market.
On the river's right bank, opposite, stands the Claddagh,
once the base of a fiercely independent fishing
community, now known for Bing Crosby's version of the
song 'Galway Bay' and the world famous 'Claddagh Ring'
with the two hands embracing the heart. Here and there amongst the restored warehouses and new shopping centres in Ireland's fastest growing city, traces of the past times abound. Lynch's Castle in Shop Street, now incorporated in a bank, is an early 16th century tower house with archery slit windows. Set in a wall of the Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas of Myra is a skull and crossbones - the restored Lynch Memorial - dating from 1493. The church itself dates from 1320, it's tower dating from 1493. The church itself dates from 1320. It's triple nave is the second longest in Ireland.The church holds an amazing collection of memorabilia now the Famous 'Connaught Rangers' - a now Defunct Regiment of the British Army which fought in the Battles of Gallipoli and Jullandur and the Great Campaign. It is said that Christopher Columbas worshipped here,wishing to learn more of the voyages of St Brendan before he set out himself to find the Americas. Rice de Culvy, a Galway man , went with him when he left in 1492. Norah Barnacle 's cottage (near St Nicholas's Church) is a little museum commemorating James Joyce's wife, who lived there. The city's most prominent building, the Cathedral of our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, dates only from 1965. Galway's beginning's go back 1,000 years. By 1240 the Anglo - Norman de Burgo family had a strong castle here, commanding this natural trading post which soon established sea links with both France and Spain. Today the city prospers. There are interesting bookshops which are more like literary museums, art galleries, theatre companies with international reputations - Druid, Punchbag and An Taibhdhearc - plus an international Arts Festival with it's renowned Street Carnival likened to a An Irish Mardi Gras. The are also race meetings at The Galway racecourse at Ballybrit, the most popular taking place at the end of July and the beginning of August. Galway host's festivals of many varieties for all types of music throughout the Summer and Autumn months. It has a host of Haute Cuisine restaurants and the pubs host live entertainment on an almost nightly basis. Galway also hosts two Oyster Festivals, The Clarinbridge and Galway Oyster Festivals as well as the Irish Showjumping Championships ,the Salthill International Air Spectacular and the Connemara Pony Fair. |
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