Galway

'The Unofficial Capital of the West'

Galway is widely regarded as the heart and soul of Ireland's western region,

This nickname reflects its cultural, economic, and social importance in the region.

Cultural Hub

Bursting with creativity, tradition, and energy, Galway stands proudly as the cultural hub of the West of Ireland. Known for its lively streets, colorful festivals, and deep artistic roots, the city offers a unique blend of old-world charm and contemporary expression. From world-class events like the Galway International Arts Festival to spontaneous street performances in the Latin Quarter, Galway’s vibrant atmosphere captures the soul of Irish culture at every turn.

The Venice of the West

Affectionately known as The Venice of the West, Galway enchants visitors with its winding waterways, charming bridges, and atmospheric streets. Set against the backdrop of Galway Bay and crisscrossed by the River Corrib, the city blends natural beauty with a deep cultural heartbeat. Like its Italian counterpart, Galway thrives on art, music, and celebration—making it a place where creativity flows as freely as the rivers that run through it.

Rivers and Canals of Galway

A Living Waterway;

Galway’s charm is deeply tied to its rivers, canals, and waterways, which have shaped the city’s layout, industry, and identity for centuries. Often called “The Venice of the West,” Galway is a city where the sound of rushing water and the sight of stone bridges are part of daily life.

🏞️ The River Corrib

The River Corrib is the lifeblood of Galway, flowing just 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from Lough Corrib to Galway Bay, making it one of the shortest but fastest rivers in Europe.

  • Features: Wild, powerful currents, salmon runs, and whitewater rapids.

  • Uses: Historically used for mills and hydro-power; today, it’s popular for kayaking, rowing, and fishing.

  • Landmarks: Salmon Weir Bridge, Cathedral Bridge, and the University of Galway rowing club.

🏘️ The Eglinton Canal

Built in the 19th century to improve navigation and drainage, the Eglinton Canal links the River Corrib with the Claddagh Basin.

  • Purpose: Part of an effort to create safer shipping routes and manage floodwaters.

  • Today: A peaceful walking route with locks, stone bridges, and waterfowl.

  • Notable Feature: The canal’s historic locks are still visible and are a reminder of Galway’s 19th-century engineering heritage.

🪝 Mill Races (Water Channels)

Throughout the city, smaller man-made water channels, or mill races, once powered the city’s many grain and textile mills.

  • Origin: Medieval to early modern Galway, particularly near the old town walls.

  • Function: These channeled fast-flowing water from the Corrib into workshops and mills.

  • Legacy: Several remain visible near the Spanish Arch and Wolfe Tone Bridge area.

🌉 The Claddagh Basin and Canals

Adjacent to the historic Claddagh Village, this network of calm canals and docks opens into Galway Bay.

  • Purpose: Once used for small fishing boats and trade vessels.

  • Today: A quiet corner of the city, ideal for scenic strolls and kayaking.

Explore Galway’s Waterway Trails

Galway offers a stunning network of walking trails that follow its rivers, canals, and coastline. This looped route connects three distinct paths: the River Trail (1 km), the Canal Trail (1.6 km), and the Coast Trail (4.3 km), forming a scenic circuit around Nun’s Island, The Claddagh, and the Salmon Weir. Starting from the vibrant Fishmarket Square, the route winds past historic landmarks, peaceful waterways, and green spaces, including views of Eyre Square and the bustling city centre. Whether you're following the rushing waters of the Corrib, strolling along the tranquil canal, or taking in fresh Atlantic air along the coast, this walking route captures the very soul of Galway—its history, nature, and community.

14 Tribes of Galway

Known as the 14 Tribes, these powerful merchant families ruled Galway's political and commercial life from the 13th to the 17th century. Though the name was originally used mockingly by Cromwell's forces, the families proudly embraced the title, leaving a lasting legacy on the city.

🛡️ 1. Athy

Origin: Possibly of Anglo-Norman descent, the Athys were among the first settlers in medieval Galway.
Role: Key players in the early establishment of Galway’s civic structure.
Legacy: Produced several mayors and sheriffs in the 14th and 15th centuries.
Notable Fact: The Athy family name appears in early Galway civic records, often involved in land disputes and city defenses.

⚓ 2. Blake

Origin: From Richard Caddell, an Anglo-Norman who took the name Blake (meaning “dark-haired”).
Role: Maritime traders with vast connections to Spain, France, and the Canary Islands.
Legacy: Built large homes, supported religious orders, and funded civic improvements.
Notable Fact: The Blake family crest is visible in several historic Galway churches and mansions.

⚔️ 3. Bodkin

Origin: Said to descend from Maurice FitzGerald’s Norman retinue, possibly deriving their name from “buedekin” (small dagger).
Role: Active in legal affairs and military defense of the city.
Legacy: Contributed to the fortification of Galway’s walls and gates.
Notable Fact: The Bodkins were prominent landholders in both urban and rural Galway.

🏰 4. Browne

Origin: Anglo-Norman; their surname reflects their dark features or armor.
Role: Statesmen, landowners, and traders; remained loyal Catholics during the Reformation.
Legacy: Their wealth funded churches, schools, and city defenses.
Notable Fact: One of the Browne family’s great estates eventually became part of the Eyre Square area.

📜 5. D’Arcy

Origin: Norman family from France, possibly originally from the town of Arcy in Normandy.
Role: Politically active; many became mayors, magistrates, and legal scholars.
Legacy: Their influence extended into colonial Ireland and even to New York (e.g., Patrick D’Arcy, an Irish patriot).
Notable Fact: The D’Arcy family helped draft the first formal rules of Galway’s city governance.

⛪ 6. Deane

Origin: Anglo-Norman origin, possibly linked to ecclesiastical service.
Role: Traders and religious benefactors, involved in early church development.
Legacy: Modest but steady contributions to Galway's civic life.
Notable Fact: The Deanes had fewer mayors than other tribes but remained a respected family.

🧭 7. Font (Ffont/Fonte)

Origin: Likely of Spanish or Norman-French origin, the Font family were early continental settlers.
Role: Traders, merchants, and civic leaders.
Legacy: Played a quiet but integral role in the smooth functioning of Galway’s economy.
Notable Fact: The Font family’s name is less frequently mentioned in later records, suggesting a decline or assimilation into other tribes.

🍷 8. French

Origin: Anglo-Norman, from the de Freyne family—name anglicized as French.
Role: International wine merchants, shipowners, and civic administrators.
Legacy: Their trade network helped position Galway as a key Irish port.
Notable Fact: The French family crest appears on tombs and plaques throughout Galway city.

🌄 9. Joyce

Origin: Welsh-Norman settlers who arrived via Connacht in the 13th century.
Role: Landowners and settlers in both Galway and northwestern Connacht.
Legacy: Their name survives in Joyce Country, a region of Connemara still associated with their clan.
Notable Fact: The Joyces were one of the few tribes to extensively settle outside the city walls.

📚 10. Kirwan

Origin: Anglo-Norman, possibly from the de Kervan family.
Role: Scholars, clergy, and officials; they often held positions within the church.
Legacy: Produced bishops, educators, and prominent thinkers in Galway and beyond.
Notable Fact: Richard Kirwan, an 18th-century scientist and chemist, was one of Ireland’s earliest Enlightenment figures.

🏛️ 11. Lawless

Origin: Of Norman origin; the name “Lawless” may stem from “Lausleas,” meaning outlaw or free man.
Role: Merchants and city officers with occasional mayoral positions.
Legacy: Though smaller in size, they maintained influence through strategic marriages and alliances.
Notable Fact: The Lawless family’s name fades from records by the 18th century, possibly merging with other local families.

👑 12. Lynch

Origin: Anglo-Norman, from de Lench or de Linch; one of the earliest and most powerful tribes.
Role: Dominated Galway’s mayoralty—produced over 80 mayors.
Legacy: Leaders in trade, politics, law, and city-building.
Notable Fact: The “Lynch’s Window” on Market Street commemorates the tale of Mayor James Lynch FitzStephen, who hanged his own son to uphold justice.

⚖️ 13. Martyn

Origin: From the Norman Martins, who arrived in Ireland with the Normans in the 12th century.
Role: Lawyers, writers, and advocates of religious and political reform.
Legacy: Known for progressive thinking and involvement in national politics.
Notable Fact: Richard Martin (“Humanity Dick”), a later descendant, was a founding member of the RSPCA and an early animal rights advocate.

🌊 14. Morris (Morrisse)

Origin: Possibly from the Norman de Marisco (of the marsh).
Role: Maritime traders and shipowners with routes to Iberia.
Legacy: Integral to Galway’s naval strength and overseas connections.
Notable Fact: The Morris family had trading ties with Spanish and Portuguese ports long before most of Ireland did.

🏙️ The Legacy of the Tribes

Today, the names of the Tribes live on in Galway’s streets, buildings, and institutions. From the Lynch’s Castle on Shop Street to Martyn’s Arch, their legacy forms the architectural and cultural bones of the city. Galway is still known proudly as “The City of the Tribes”—a title not just of history, but of identity.

The Galway Hooker

The Galway Hooker is a traditional Irish sailing boat that has become an enduring symbol of Galway’s seafaring heritage. With its sleek black hull and striking red sails, the hooker was perfectly designed for the wild waters of Galway Bay and the rugged Atlantic coast. Originally used by the fishermen and traders of Connemara, these boats carried turf, seaweed, livestock, and fish between isolated communities long before modern roads. Built entirely by hand using native oak and larch, Galway Hookers were essential to daily life—combining function, craftsmanship, and beauty in one seaworthy design.

There are four main types of hookers, each with its own size and purpose: the Bád Mór (big boat), used for long hauls; the Leathbhád (half-boat), for lighter loads; the Gleoiteog, often used for fishing; and the Púcán, distinguished by its square sail. Though once in decline, these boats have seen a passionate revival, thanks to local boatbuilders and events like Cruinniú na mBád in Kinvara and Galway Hooker Festival in the city. Today, the Galway Hooker stands not just as a vessel, but as a living emblem of tradition, resilience, and coastal Irish identity.