GALWAY, a county in the west of Ireland, in the province of Connaught, bounded north by Mayo and Roscommon ; east by Roscommon, Offaly county and Tipperary; south by Clare and Galway bay ; and west by the Atlantic ocean. With an area of 1,467,850 ac., the county is second in size to Cork among Irish counties. To the east of Lough Corrib the surface rests on a limestone base and has extensive bogs. Its southern portion is partly a continuation of the Golden Vale of Limerick and partly occupied by the Slieve Aughty mountains (highest points c. 1,200 1,250 f t.) in which Silurian and Devonian rocks appear. A broad mass of ice-worn gneiss and granite lies west of Lough Corrib, and its steep edge towards Galway bay suggests an east to west line of fracture. Quartzites, associated with limestone and mica schist stand out in the Twelve Bens or Pins (highest point, ft.). The coast is much indented and studded with islands, providing safe anchorages for fishing vessels.
The Suck, which forms the eastern boundary of the county, rises in Roscommon, and passing by Ballinasloe, unites with the Shannon at Shannonbridge. The Shannon forms the south-eastern boundary of the county, and passing Shannon Harbour, Banagher, Meelick and Portumna, swells into the great expanse of water called Lough Derg, which skirts the county as far as the village of Mount Shannon. The Clare flows southward through the centre of the county, and enters Lough Corrib 4 m. above the town of Gal way. The Ballynahinch, one of the best salmon-fishing rivers in Connaught, rises in the Twelve Pins, passes through Ballynahinch lake, and enters Bertraghboy bay. Lough Corrib extends from Galway town northwards over 30,00o ac., with a short of 50m. in extent, and is studded with islands, some of them inhabited. The district west of Lough Corrib contains many lakes, about 25 of them more than a mile in length. There are also several low tracts, called turloughs, which are covered with water during a great part of the year.
Limestone, gravel and marl are to be had in most other parts. When manure for potatoes is scarce the usual practice is to pare and burn the surface. In many places on the seashore early potatoes are raised in deep sea-sand manured with seaweed, and the crop is succeeded by barley. Sheep-walks occupy a very large tract between Monivea and Galway and between Athenry and Kinvarra. Pigs and poultry are extensively reared, hut a large area is quite barren.
Manufactures are controlled by local demand. Coarse friezes, flannels and blankets are made in all parts and sold largely in Galway and Loughrea. Connemara is noted for hand-knit woollen stockings. Coarse linen called bandle linen is also made. Gal way and Clifden are centres of the fishing industry. Black marble is quarried near Galway and red marble is worked at Shantallow. Leenane, at the head of Killary harbour, Renvyle House at its entrance, Letterfrack on Ballynakill bay, Streamstown and Clif den, and Cashel on Bertraghboy bay are fishing villages much fre quented by tourists. Recess, near Lough Derryclare, and Bally nahinch, on the lough of that name, are inland tourist centres.
The population of Galway county in 1926 was 169,311. Ballin asloe and Galway are urban districts and Loughrea and Tuam are towns. The county returns nine members to Dail Eireann.