GALWAY. The capital of Galway County, Ireland, a municipal and Parliamentary bor ough, seaport, and civic county at the mouth of the Corrib on the north shore of Galway Bay. 50 miles north-northwest of Limerick, and 130 miles west of Dublin (Map: Ireland, B 3). It is built on both sides of the river, and on two islands in its channel, its parts being united by two bridges. It is connected with Lough Cor rib by a canal, and forms the terminus of the Midland Great Western Railway. Galway has numerous flour and other mills, brush factories and breweries, distilleries, foundries, etc., salmon and sea fishing, a good harbor, with docks and a lighthouse. It exports agricultural produce, wool, bacon, fish, kelp, and a fine black marble, and im ports grain, timber, petroleum, and manure. The old town of Galway is poorly built and irregular, and some of its older houses have a some what Spanish appearance. One of these houses, marked with a skull and crossbones, was the residence of James Lynch Fitzstephen, a mayor of Galway, who, in 1493, condemned his son to death for murder, and to prevent his rescue, caused him to be hanged from his own win dow. The new town consists of well-planned and spacious streets, built on rising ground, which slopes gradually toward the sea and the river. Claddagh, a suburb, is inhabited by fishermen, who exclude all strangers from their society, and marry within their own circle. These fishermen
still speak the Irish language, and the Irish cos tume is still worn by the women. They annually elect a 'mayor,' whose function it is to administer the laws of their fishery, and to superintend all internal regulations. Attached to the Anglican diocese of Tuam, Galway is also a Catholic epis copal see. The principal buildings are the parish 'Church of Saint Nicholas, founded in 1320, Saint Augustine's Catholic Church, three monasteries, and five nunneries, Queen's College, the county court-house, barracks, etc. The town returns one member to Parliament.
Galway was taken by Richard de Burgo in 1232, and the ancestors of many of the leading families resident in this quarter here about that time. Galway rose in commercial importance chiefly through its Spanish trade, from the thirteenth to the middle of the seven teenth century. During the seventeenth century it suffered for its adherence to the Royalist cause. In 1652 it was taken by Sir Charles Coot after a blockade of several months; and in July, 1691, it was compelled to surrender to General Ginekell. Population, in 1851, 20,686; in 1891, 13,800; in 1901, 13,414. Consult Hardiman, History of the Town and County of Galway (Dublin, 1820).