GALWAY'S HERITAGE OIDHREACHT NA GAILLIMHE GALWAY'S ...

GALWAY’S HERITAGE
OIDHREACHT NA GAILLIMHE
VOLUME 24 - 25
SPRING - SUMMER 2010
I.S.S.N. 16492684
UIMHIR 24 - 25
EARACH - SAMHRADH 2010
O I D R E A C H T N A G A I L L I M H E 1

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Our Front and Back Covers 2
A Heraldic Carving with the Arms of Lynch and French dated 1784 at The King’s Head, Galway. J H 3-6
A stroll round Galway’s renamed waterways by Michael Quinn 7-9
An RIC Rugby Team 1906-1907. – Anne O’Toole 10
Celebrating Irish-Australian Heritage Links 10
Mutton Island Conservation Work Continues. – Jim Higgins 11
Some Old Galway Memories. – J.H 11
The Priest and the Submarine Man. – Michael Conneely 12-15
Who Fears to Speak of ‘98’s? – Mícheál Higgins 16
A Late Mesolithic Ground Stone Point from the River Corrib 17
A New Swan Sanctuary at Lough Rusheen Park 17
Book Reviews: 18
- A New Farming Publication from the Heritage Council. – Jim Higgins 18
- Ireland’s Maritime Archaeology: Our Ancient Coastal Landscapes – A publication 19
of the Heritage Council. – Jim Higgins
- Jellyfish in our Coastal Waters – A new and useful guide. – Jim Higgins 20
- Merlin Park and Barna Woods Booklets Now Available from Galway City Council. – J.H. 21
- Preserving and Enhancing Ireland’s Historic Churches and Graveyards – some useful tips 22
from the Heritage Council. – J.H.
* Conservation Grants Allocated
O U R F R O N T A N D B A C K C O V E R P H O T O G R A P H S
The front cover which has been provided courtesy of Jimmy Griffins shows Griffins Bakery, Shop Street. The
photograph was taken in the 1920’s or 1930’s. The shop front has recently been restored with the same Irish
language signage. This use of Irish is a very welcome development, Galway City Council and Gaillimh le
Gaeilge are keen to promote the use of the language everywhere in the city.
Our Back cover shows the Brides Hotel sometime in the early 20th Century. Courtesy of the late Professor
M.V. Duignan. Does anyone recognise the two boys in the photograph? It would be wonderful to have
them identified.
2 G A L W A Y ’ S H E R I T A G E

A Heraldic Carving with the Arms of Lynch and French
dated 1784 at The King’s Head, Galway
Set in the wall of the bar of the King’s Head Public House,
High Street is a fine heraldic panel dated 1784. It bears the
arms of Martin Lynch FitzJohn and Mary French his wife
(Fig.1). Some photographs taken in the 1930s during slum
clearance in St. Augustine, Middle and Cross Street show
both part of the building from which this stone came. One
provides a good view of the door to this building which
was built by Martin Lynch in the 18th century. The edifice
later became known as “Guilfoyle’s Halls”. After the death
of Miss Guilfoyle many families occupied rooms in the
house including Bowens, Burkes, Griffins, McGraths,
O’Donnells and Rogers families. This later name was given
to the premises because it had been lived in (when it was
still a town house) by Miss Guilfoyle. She had been a
children’s governess and used to give piano lessons. The
building later became known as ‘The Bride’s Hotel’ as
rooms in it were rented cheaply and were often availed of
by honeymoon couples after their wedding.
The Lynches had extensive property in this area and John
De Burgh Lynch owned the Stone House adjoining the
house known as Mayoralty House (which was bought by
Hugh Hannon from the Town Commissioners in 1870).
The Georgian house from which the heraldic panel came in
shown in Fig.2 a photograph taken in the 1930s by the late
Michael Duignan who was Professor of Archaeology at
UCG (now NUI Galway) until the late 1970s. This shows a
large elaborate door case with a “Gibbs Surround” and a
wrought iron, foliate style grid in its fan light. The scale of
the door case can be judged from the two boys who can
be seen standing on the flight of steps leading to the
doorway. The plaque is shown set in the cut stone façade
above the keystone and set on a moulded support. There
seems to be a window sill above the panel. A wide plattband
(or string course) runs across the façade of the
limestone building. The fine Georgian house itself must
have been an impressive structure originally and a costly
one too.
Another photograph taken by Professor Duignan (Fig.3)
shows part of the building complex in a ruined condition
with Mayoralty House in the background.
It seems likely that the 18th century Lynch mansion was
By Jim Higgins
built of limestone ashlar and was a high Georgian town
house similar to some of the slightly later Georgian
examples in St. Augustine Street (including Oznam House
and the two Georgian houses beside it for example). The
area around it in general was a complex of late medieval
houses of 16th century structures, some of them
“Georgianised” by having new windows and doorways
broken out through them, and others which were
completely newly built late 18th (and early 19th century.
The Pictorial Map of the 1660s shows a series of large
houses built around a complex of courtyards in this
position. Substantial portions of the ruins of a late medieval
building survived here at the rear of the site of the
Georgian building up to the 1980s. It was unfortunately
demolished when the present Corn Store shopping
complex (on the corners of St. Augustine and Middle
Streets and facing onto Cross Street) was built in the early
1990s.
Fig. 1: The Heraldic Panel with the arms of Lynch and French in
the wall of the King’s Head Public House, High Street.
This building from which the panel came is one which is
referred to by James Hardiman in his History of Galway
which he refers to as follows:
“Although most of the dwelling-houses are old, there are,
however, several excellent private buildings interspersed
throughout the town. Amongst these the following will
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H E R A L D I C C A R V I N G
attract particular attention:- the handsome dwelling of Mr
Daly, the late mayor, situate in Back-street,…and that
opposite it built by the late Martin Lynch…”
(Hardiman (1820), 282)
Fig.2 A photograph taken by the late Professor M.V. Duignan in the
1930s showing the heraldic panel in position above the Georgian
doorcase of Guilfoyle’s Halls or The Brides Hotel.
Fig.3 Parts of the corner of the Brides Hotel building can be seen
in this photograph by Professor M.V. Duignan. Mayoralty House is
shown in the middle.
Fig.4 A drawing of the
Barna House heraldic
panel which bears the
arms of Lynch and
Blake and is dated
1779. Drawing by
Jenny McKenna (After
Higgins (2004)).
The former Mayor’s house is, of course, Mayoralty House
and the building opposite it built by Martin Lynch is of
course the building under discussion in which the panel was
set and which later became known variously as Gilfoyle’s
Halls and The Bride’s Hotel.
It is unfortunate that Hardiman (1820) does not provide any
more detail about either the building itself or its owners
Panels bearing the heraldry of the ‘Tribal Families’ occur in
Fig.5 The arms of Lynch and Bodkin on an 18th century slab which
was reused and has a 19th century inscription. The stone is at
Forthill Cemetery, Lough Atalia Road. It may have been carved by
the same stone mason who carved the Lynch/French panel now at
the King’s Head pub.
Galway from the 16th and 17th century onwards. One with
the Lynch Arms is located on the corner tower of the South
Transept of St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church on the
Churchyard Street side of the building. Another with the
Lynch (and Penrise) arms occurs on the Fahy Foto building,
a large medieval house at the end of Shop Street and
beginning of High Street. Another with the arms of Joyce
(later reworked in the 18th century) occurs in Church Lane.
It has late 15th or early 16th century decoration. Such panels
with heraldry also occur on Lynch’s Castle where the arms of
James Lynch FitzStephen and Garret Mór FitzGerald occur.
Such panels often with moulded frames and extremely
common in places like Kilkenny City where they occur in
Rothe House, the Shee Alms House and many other late
medieval buildings. There are fine examples of heraldic
panels of similar type at St. Mary’s Church of Ireland in
Kilkenny City. Both funerary monuments and house facades
bore similar heraldic panels, often with moulded surrounds.
In Galway such panels must once have been much more
common but they do not survive in large numbers. By
contrast with Kilkenny, Galway has much more heraldic
chimney pieces but fewer heraldic panels. The stone which
is now at the King’s Head pub is an example of a heraldic
panel. The Galwegian sculptural tradition was strongest in
the late 15th and early 16th century. This tradition was
4 G A L W A Y ’ S H E R I T A G E

oken in the Mid-17th century and sculpture in stone did
not begin to revive until the late 18th century. The stone
carving at the King’s Head is an example of this revival and
sculpted heraldic plaques such as this are still relatively rare
however. The best parallel for the style of carving is to be
found in the heraldic panel bearing the arms of Lynch and
Blake (the latter on an inescutcheon or escutcheon of
pretence) from Barna House which is now in Galway city
Museum. This bears the Lynch arms, crest and a mottoscroll
while the arms of Blake is superimposed on its
honour point in the middle of the shield. This form of
representing two arms together was often used in cases
where the male (Mr Lynch in this instance) married a rich
heiress – Miss Blake who became Mrs Lynch in this
instance. The Barna House panel is almost contemporary
with the King’s Head / Guilfoyle’s Halls stone and is dated
1779. The Barna House Stone has been published in detail
elsewhere (Higgins (2002), 3 and Higgins (2004), 13-14,
Cat.No.7, Plate 14). The achievement of arms (consisting of
arms, crest and motto) are carved in low false relief. The
inscriptions at the top and bottom of the stone read Martin
Lynch FitzJohn 1784 and Mary French respectively.
Ornamental scroll work across between the first and
second name of the lower-most inscription. The
inscriptions are excised and are cut in Roman capitals and
so is the motto. The arms as shown on the stone are as
follows: The arms of Lynch are as follows:
Arms: Azure, a chevron between three trefoils slipped,
or
Crest: A lynx passant
Motto: Semper Fidelis
The arms of French are as follows
Arms: Ermine, a chevron sable.
The French crest and motto are not shown in this instance.
In plain English trefoils are the ‘shamrocks’ found on the
Lynch arms. Ermine and ermines are furs with black or
white spots (black spots on white and white spots on a
black harned pelt respectively). Chevrons are inverted “V”
shapes.
The use of the impaled or conjoined arms in a single shield
indicate allegiance, alliance and marriage and Martin Lynch
FitzJohn and Mary French were undoubtedly a married
couple. The date on the stone is not necessarily the date of
their marriage however; it could also refer to the year the
house was erected.
In impaled arms (where the two coats of arms are
conjoined in a single shield) the arms of the man were
displayed on the viewer’s left and those of his wife were
shown on the viewer’s right (the Sinister and Dexter sides
of the shield respectively) where a couples arms were
impaled the crest and motto of the man were usually
shown above and below the shield respectively. Medieval
heraldry was invariably chauvinistic. The term “Marriage
Stone” has often been used in Galway to describe such
achievements of arms which, in Galway City, are found
most often on heraldically decorated chimney pieces
rather than on heraldic panels such as these are. In some
houses (including that of Sir Peter French and Mary Browne
in Market Street) there were more than one chimney piece
with the exact same sets of impaled arms but with different
dates (1599 and 1602 in the same complex of buildings). In
such instances the dates are indicators of the period of
construction of a building or building phase rather than the
date of marriage of the couple. In two instances Galwegian
chimney piece bears a line from the marriage ceremony
however. This stone is in Jury’s Hotel and bears the arms of
Lynch and Browne. It is unfortunate that it was covered
over along with other stones a few years ago.
James Hardiman, the great historian of Galway, quotes
various folklore and traditions about the Lynch family and
Fig.6 Photograph of
the Lynch-Blake
heraldic panel dated
1779 from Barna
House where it was
once incorporated
into the parapet of a
small bridge. It
bears the arms of
Nicholas Lynch with
those of his wife a
Blake heiress
superimposed in an
inescutcheon in the
middle of the Lynch
achievement of
arms. Photograph: J.
Higgins.
their heraldry. Some of it is far fetched but some of it
reflects the interest that there was in Medieval times in
Bestiaries and in the legendary (and historic) explanations
attached to the origins of various coats of arms of notable
families. In his History of Galway (1820), 17, footnote w,
Hardiman has this to say:
Tradition and some documents in possession of the
family…state that they were originally from the City of
Lintz, the capital of Upper Austria, from which they
suppose the name to have been derived…
…They also state that the Lynches obtained their armorial
bearings from the following circumstances, one of their
name and family, being governor of Lintz (long before the
invasion of England by the Conqueror) defended that city
with unexampled fortitude, against a powerful enemy; and
though from the uncommon length of the siege, all their
provisions were consumed, and the garrison reduced to
the miserable extremity of subsisting on the common
heritage of the fields, he was finally victorious. His prince,
amongst other rewards of his valor, presented him with the
trefoil on a field azure, for his arms, and the Lynx the
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H E R A L D I C C A R V I N G
sharpest sighted of all animals, for his crest, the former, in
allusion to the extremity to which he was driven for
subsistence during the siege, and the latter, to his foresight
and vigilance, and, as a testimonial of his fidelity, he also
received the motto, Semper Fidelis, which arms, crest and
motto, are borne by the Lynch family to this day.
In heraldry the Lynx or ounce is in fact a popular animal
though it is not common in Irish heraldry. The heraldic
animal is, according to Milbourne usually shown as a tawny
white cat lie creature with an ash coloured lower parts and
is usually depicted as being sprinkled all over with dark
irregular spots (Milbourne (1950), 142).
The Lynch lynx on the King’s Head crest is markedly similar
to another lynx shown on the Lynch crest on an 18th
century recumbent slab (Fig.5) at Forthill Cemetery.
The Lynch Arms, Crest and
Motto after Hardiman (1820).
French Arms, Crest and
Motto after Hardiman (1820).
The parallels between the Barna House and the King’s
Head panels are close only in the sense that they are similar
heraldic panels bearing heraldry related to the Tribes of
Galway. From a stylistic point of view the closest and best
parallels for the King’s Head panel however is the Lynch
and Bodkin heraldry found on an 18th century recumbent
slab which bears a later, (19th century) inscription at Forthill
Cemetery, Lough Atalia Road. The trefoils and their
detailed modelling, the proportions and widths of the
chevron of the Lynch arms (and the saltire cross of the
Bodkin arms) and details such as the modelling of the crest,
wreath and the lynx of the Lynch crest are all closely similar.
It seems possible that the King’s Head heraldic panel and
the Lynch-Bodkin funerary monument at Forthill Cemetery
are the work of the same shield stone mason (compare
Figures 1 and 5).
How the stone ended up in the King’s Head is uncertain. It
was already present in the building when the Grealish
family took over ownership of the premises from David
Lenihan in 1989 according to M. Paul Grealish. The stone
was not yet present in the King’s Head when work was not
there in the early 1980s when extensive renovations were
carried out according to Mr Dickie Byrne who supervised
the transformation of the building. Mr Byrne suggests that
the stone may have been brought to the pub by one of its
previous owners, either Mr David Lenihan or the O’Malley
Construction Company who may have secured it form
some of the demolition works with which they were
involved.
The stone is a wonderful piece of Galwegian heraldic
sculpture and we are lucky that it has survived.
Arrangements are being made to have a small information
panel erected beside this important piece of sculpture in
the King’s Head Pub. It would be wonderful if a replica of
the carving could be made for the Galway City Museum /
Musaem Cathrach na Gaillimhe.
Acknowledgements
I am thankful to the following for information on the King’s
Head Stone and for photographs of it: The late Professor
Michael Duignan, Tom Kenny, Kenny’s Bookshop, Brendan
Geoghan, Dickie Byrne, Paul Grealish and the late David
Joyce.
References
Hardiman, J. (1820) The History of the Town and County of
the Town of Galway from the Earliest Period to the Present
Time. Dublin, 1820.
Higgins, J. (2002) “Donations and Purchases (stone carving
with Arms of Lynch and Blake)”, Galway City Museum
Newsletter/Nuacht Litir Musaem Cathrach na Gaillimhe,
No.2, Winter 2002, 3.
Higgins, J. (2003) Galway’s Heritage in Stone Galway City
Museum Catalogue No.1: Catalogue of Late Medieval
Sculpture Down to the 17th Century in Galway City
Museum, Galway, 2003.
Higgins, J. (2004) Galway’s Heritage in Stone Galway City
Museum Catalogue No.2: Catalogue of the Post Medieval
and 18th - Early 20th Century Sculpture in Galway City
Museum, Galway.
Milbourne, J.S. (1950) Heraldry, London, 1950, 142.
6 G A L W A Y ’ S H E R I T A G E

A stroll round Galway’s renamed waterways
Michael Quinn
Recently, you may have noticed the appearance of a
number of name plaques in the vicinity of Galway’s canals,
rivers and streams funded by Galway City Council. The
erection of these plaques is an objective of one of Galway
City Council’s Strategic Policy Committees, the Natural
Environment and Waterways Group which aims to highlight
the heritage of our city’s many watercourses. In particular,
these plaques seek to reflect the ecclesiastical, social and
industrial history associated with these waterways.
This project has been undertaken by Galway Civic Trust
working closely with the Galway City’s Heritage Office in
bringing this initiative to fruition. Galway City Council has
very kindly funded the project. So why not discover the
history of our city’s numerous rivers, channels and millraces?
Take in our waterways walk below and acquaint
yourself with the beauty and tranquillity of Galway’s
watercourses and see how many of our river name-plaques
you can spot! Incidentally, this walk also forms one of the
walks in a recently published guidebook entitled Galway
City Waterways Walks, this free booklet is available from
Galway city tourist offices.
Galway owes much of its unique identity and character to
the fact that the River Corrib and associated waterways
flow through its very heart. In Irish, the town was once
known as Baile na Sruthán (the village of the streams) while
more recently it has been referred to as ‘The Venice of the
West’. Indeed, the banks of the Corrib were home to
some of Ireland’s earliest settlers and the river has thrown
up archaeological evidence which show that it supported
human habitation from the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages
through to the arrival of Christianity in the fifth century.
From its origin as a humble settlement site, Galway was
established as a town with the arrival of the Anglo-Norman
de Burgo family in the 13th century who found that with
the natural defences of the sea to their south and the river
to the west, the area could easily be secured. As the town
began to take to shape and expand under the fourteen
Anglo-Norman ’Tribes’, the River Corrib remained an
important defensive barrier while its waters became a
valuable source of fishing revenue during the 16th and
17th centuries. By the 19th century the River Corrib as well
as the recently constructed canals and tail races were being
utilised to power the many mills which had sprang up along
their banks as Galway underwent something of a mini
‘Industrial Revolution‘. The river also gave rise to more
leisurely pursuits and Galway has a proud rowing tradition
associated with the Corrib. Pleasure cruises upriver to the
lake can be taken today, just as they were over 100 years
ago while anglers from all over the world are still drawn to
the excellent fishing that the river provides. The ideal way
to take in all of the natural, historic and social features of
Galway’s waterways is, however, to take a long, leisurely
stroll along their banks with our walk which commences
outside the Musaem Cathrach na Gaillimhe / Galway City
Museum.
Starting outside the museum, the first thing we notice are
the remains of the medieval town walls inside which the
famous merchant families or ‘Tribes’ held sway. We walk
through the Spanish Arch – a 16th Century extension to
walls and find ourselves in an open area which once acted
as the medieval quays. Later it became the site of the city’s
fish market as the women of the nearby Claddagh sold the
offloaded catch of village’s fishermen. In this area are two
monuments – one to the memory of mariners who lost their
lives at sea, and the other, to Christopher Columbus, who
is believed to have stopped and prayed in St. Nicholas’
Church. Carefully crossing the road we find ourselves on
Wolfe Tone Bridge – named after the famous Irish patriot
who initiated the 1798 Rebellion against British rule in
Ireland. From here we can see a distinctive yellow building
on the far bank of the river. This is the restored Fisheries
Tower which was built in the mid-1800s as a netting station
and also as look-out point to monitor fish stocks and to
guard against poaching on the river. Although closed for
repairs at present, the tower now houses a small museum
and exhibition space and is an ideal place to spot swans,
herons and cormorants which gather at its base. From
Wolfe Tone Bridge we now make our way along the
riverside walk known as Bruach na Coiribe (The Banks of
the Corrib).
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A S T R O L L R O U N D G A L W A Y
As we walk on towards the next bridge we can see a tail
race over to our left hand side which once served one of
Galway’s many flour mills in the 19th century. The restored
limestone building we see is known as the Bridge Mills and
a working mill-wheel can still be seen inside it. Back on our
own side we notice a body of water to our right which is
‘Middle River / An Abhhainn Láir’. This channel once
powered an industrial complex which stands today as a
modern apartment block. We now reach the 19th century
O’Brien’s Bridge, named after another patriot - William
O’Brien. A bridge was, in fact, built across the Corrib in this
area as far back to 1442. We again, cross the road and
continue along Bruach na Coiribe passing the remains of
the 19th century Persse Galway Whiskey Distillery on the
far bank. This distillery operated from 1815 to 1908 and
was once the largest employer in Galway City. A recently
found bottle of its whiskey has been valued at over
€200,000! In the river at this point are the remains of
salmon traps which were once used to catch a percentage
of passing salmon. Fish caught along this stretch of the
river could be found for sale in London’s famous
Billingsgate fish market the very next day. The buildings
which we see on the far bank continue to be associated
with fishing and stock monitoring to this day. Back on our
side we climb a sharp incline at fisherman’s wharf and pass
by the Nora Barnacle Bridge on our right hand side. This
bridge traverses ‘Slaughterhouse River /Abhainn an
tSeamlais’, so called as the city’s first official
slaughterhouse was located in nearby Bowling Green. This
was a popular fishing spot amongst young people up to
the 1950s, as the run-off of blood and offal into this
waterway had the effect of greatly increasing the river’s
brown eel population.
Continuing on, we
leave the river via a
footbridge over
‘Friars River /
Abhainn na
mBráithre’ which
was associated with
the Franciscan
Abbey, founded close to the site of the courthouse by the
de Burgo family in 1296. From here we walk through an
archway out on to the Newtownsmith area of Galway. We
now turn left and cross over the Salmon Weir Bridge. The
bridge is often a good location to spot anglers below in the
water as they hook a passing fish. Opposite the Cathedral
we can take a brief sojourn up the lane towards Fisheries
Field. Here we can peer over a bridge on the laneway into
what is ‘Persse River /Abhainn na Drioglainne’. This
channel was constructed between the Persse family’s
original distillery (established in the present grounds of the
national University of Ireland, Galway, in 1815) and its new
distillery building which we previously passed on the banks
of the Corrib. Retracing our steps we now cross back over
to the cathedral. Heading up University Road we now cross
over a body of water known as ‘Gaol River / Abhainn an
Phríosúin’ at Beggar’s Bridge. The bridge is so-called as
inmates from the nearby workhouse used to congregate to
beg at this location in the 19th century, while Gaol River
was associated with the Galway Gaol which stood on the
present site of the Cathedral throughout this same period.
Continuing on, we pass the Millennium Children’s Park run
by Galway City Council and opposite the entrance to NUI,
Galway we can take time out to rest our feet at a neat
canal-side bench in an area known as Mrs. McHugh’s
garden. From here we turn left into Canal Road Upper and
stroll on keeping the canal on our left. We are now, of
course, walking alongside the Eglington Canal which was
completed in 1852 to aid navigation between Lough
Corrib and the sea. At 1.2km long this man-made channel
provided vital work to locals during the harsh Famine years
of the mid 1800s. The canal banks are rich in vegetation
which is home to nesting swans, ducks and moorhens.
Outside the perimeter wall of the Poor Clare’s convent we
see a channel of water which diverges from the main body
of the Eglington Canal. This is ‘St. Clare’s River / Abhainn
na Siúracha’, owing to association with the Poor Clare’s
who were granted the site of their present home by the city
corporation as far back as 1649.
8 G A L W A Y ’ S H E R I T A G E

Continuing forward by the canal, we cross over two further
bridges and carry on along a footpath until we reach a
wooden footbridge close to the canal lock-gate. Here we
cross over the footbridge to the opposite side of the canal
and into the area of town known as Parkavera. Indeed, we
can note ‘Parkavera River / Abhainn Phairc an Mhéara’ on
our right as we stroll forward towards Mill Street. Once on
Mill Street, a quick detour into the public car park beside
the Garda Station brings us into contact with yet another
river. A mill wheel is still evidence here on what is ‘Madeira
River / Abhainn Madeira’. In fact this waterway and
Parkavera River once powered another industrial complex
in this area which included a paper mill, a brewery and a
saw mill. Returning to Mill Street we take a right turn into
Dominic Street and continue along until we rejoin the
Eglington Canal. Here we follow the flow of the canal again
down Raven’s Terrace and see part of it diverge back into
the Corrib while its main body empties into the Claddagh
Basin.
Crossing over the road, we are now at Claddagh Quay with
the Dominican Abbey on our right. The Dominican Order
was founded in Galway as far back as 1488 and continues
to be closely associated with the Claddagh area. The
Claddagh was Galway’s ancient fishing village and up until
the 1930s was a pattern of whitewashed thatched
cottages. It was then rebuilt with modern houses although
many of its customs and traditions still abide as does it’s
the famous Claddagh ring.
Jutting out into the sea we can see a long pier named after
the Scottish engineer Alexander Nimmo who designed it
and a number of others in the West of Ireland in the 1820s.
Across the mouth of the river we see the colourful houses
of ‘The Long Walk’ made famous in the lyrics of the song
‘The Galway Girl’. Back on our side we are now in a popular
location for feeding of the large numbers of ducks and
swans which frequently gather here in front of the
Claddagh Hall. Turning back on ourselves, we now turn
right through a gateway where a monument is located to
the Claddagh fishermen who lost their lives in the waters of
Galway Bay in 1902. We are further reminded of the great
fishing tradition of this area as a number of Galway
hookers, the traditional sailing craft of the Claddagh
fishermen are commonly docked in this vicinity. Crossing
over a narrow lock-bridge we are now once again back at
Wolfe Tone Bridge, close to where our walk commenced.
Michael Quinn
O I D H R E A C H T N A G A I L L I M H E 9

R U G B Y T E A M
An RIC Rugby Team 1906-1907
I recently came across this photograph of a Royal Irish
Constabulary Rugby team of 1906-7 and would like to be
able to identify all the members of this team. I know that
one of them was George Ryan.
George Ryan is situated second from the left in the second
row from back.
George Ryan lived on Mary St. in Galway in 1901. Living
with him at the time, according to 1901 census, was his
father Michael Ryan (a retired RIC policeman), his mother
Rose (nee Fallon), his brothers Michael, Danial, John and
Patrick, and a sister Rose Ann. The Ryan family lived on
Court House Avenue in 1898 – Rose Ann, the youngest
child, was born there. According to the census of 1911, the
family lived on a farm in Shantalla. In 1950 Shantalla House
BY ANNE O’TOOLE
(also known as Ryan’s House) was sold to the Presentation
nuns. The Presentation order later knocked the old house
and rebuilt it in the same design.
George was 16 in this photo. He joined the RIC and was
stationed in Newport, Co. Mayo. He married Bridget
Maguire in 1915 and later was transferred to Coothill, Co.
Cavan. Georg e and his wife Bridget sailed to Australia in
1922 with two children. When Bridget was expecting her
eighth child in Australia George was killed in a road
accident. Two of their children are still living in Australia.
They lost contact with their Irish relatives over time;
however, they got in touch with their Newport relatives in
2007 and travelled to Newport to meet them.
Unfortunately, they did not have any information on their
Galway ancestors – the Ryans.
Celebrating Irish Australian Heritage Links
The next issue of this magazine will feature the Robert
O’Hara Burke and John Wills Victoria Expedition of 1860.
Robert O’Hara Burke, a Galway man was baptised in St.
Nicholas Collegiat e Church.. Anyone with memorabilia
photographs or documents relating to Ireland’s Historical
links with Australia is invited to contact the Heritage Office
as we are creating a display relating to this theme.
10 G A L W A Y ’ S H E R I T A G E

Mutton Island Conservation Work Continues
Work on the
Lighthouse and
its ancillary
buildings
continues but
lack of funding
makes it
increasingly
difficult to get
some of the
works finished.
The whitewashing of the boundary walls continues and the
tower will be re painted externally and will also soon be
painted internally as well. Sponsorship is urgently required
to allow other works to be carried out. Corporate or
private sponsorship and extra heritage funding would all
be welcome and antiques suitable for display and
furnishings some of the rooms would also be most
welcome. Contact the Heritage Office at Galway City
Council for details.
Work on the paths to the light from the inner gate is now
Successful catch
One of our regular readers is Mr. Patrick J. Conneely, a
Galwegian who is now residing in Plymouth in the U.S.A.
He is still a regular visitor back to his native city and has a
deep interest in local history. He has sent us a wonderful
selection of old photographs of Captain Wooley and the
Galway sea Scouts as well as views of Galway Docks. We
reproduce one of these aerial views of the Docks in 1941
below. We also reproduce a photograph and caption from
nearing
completion.
An old Belfast
Sink along
with a press
beneath it has
recently been
reinstated in
the scullery. A
replacement
antique cast
iron fireplace
has replaced
one of the
Some Old Galway Memories
Visitors from the Galway Family History Soceity
(West) to Mutton Island
missing ones in one of the small bedrooms. We are looking
for additional antiques, overmantels and a dresser for
display in the restored building. We believe that the
Visitors’ Book for the Island is in private locally and would
love to have it for display in the restored building.
Work on cleaning and restoring the large number of
lighthouse related artifacts which we hold on loan from the
Commissioners of Irish Lights continues.
Galway Dock 1941
Feature Magazine of July 1948 which shows fishermen
hauling nets on a Galway trawler off the Aran Islands. The
man with his shirt sleeves rolled up in the middle of the
photograph is Patrick Conneely’s father Mick Conneely.
The trawler he is working on was owned by Marcheen
(Catha) McDonough according to the magazine caption.
We hope to print some of the other photographs and
hopefully some historic articles by Mr. Conneely in future
issues of this publication.
O I D H R E A C H T N A G A I L L I M H E 11

T H E P R I E S T A N D T H E S U B M A R I N E
The Priest and the Submarine Man
Michael Conneely
Liscannor, Co. Clare, tucked away in the North corner of
Liscannor Bay, was to have its association with one of the
greatest engineering inventions, the submarine,
committed to perpetual memory by the arrival, in the
“Pope’s Parish”, in July 1959, of an unassuming curate and
historian Fr. Martin Coen.
Martin Coen was born in Raheen House, Kiltartan, Co.
Galway on the 6th October 1933. He attended the local
primary school at Kiltartan and St. Mary’s College, Galway.
Martin Coen’s education was to continue at the Irish
College in Rome. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest
in 1958.
Although a predecessor of Fr. Coen’s, Fr. P.A. Sharkey,C.C.,
Liscannor had made reference to John Phillip Holland in his
Pope’s Own Parish, information about the inventor was
vague. On the national and international scene there were
only short references to Holland in the major
encyclopaediae. A local gentleman of great age brought
the birthplace of John Phillip Holland to the attention of Fr.
Coen and the poignancy of the visit to the Holland house
in Castle Street (now Holland Street) stimulated the
historian into positive action and painstaking research. The
absence of recorded information made research very
difficult.
Fr. Coen referred to the Liscannor baptismal Register and
discovered two Holland names: Robert Holland and
Michael Joseph Holland, brothers of John Philip Holland
and in Kilmacreehy cemetery on the Lahinch Road he
obtained some family information. An enquiry to the British
Admiralty revealed that John Holland, Senior, had been in
the Coastguard Service having formerly served in Kilkee
from where he was transferred to Liscannor, on September
16th 1831. His first wife, Anne Foley, died in 1835 and is
buried in Kilmacreehy cemetery. John Holland later
married Mary Scanlon.
The precise date of John Philip Holland’s birth has been
the subject of some uncertainty. Some publications give a
date of 24th February 1841. This would appear to be
incorrect. Fr. Coen published a date in Dal gCais 1982 of
February 29th 1841. This date is manifestly wrong and is
likely to have been a typing error. The 29th of February
could only have occurred in 1840, a leap year. Fr. Coen
learned of Holland’s insistence that he was born on 29th
February 1840. Holland celebrated his birthday only every
four years.
Holland’s Cottage, Liscannor.
Education.
Holland attended St Macreehy’s National School and spent
some time in the Christian Brothers School in Ennistymon.
A great deal of uncertainty surrounds details concerning
John Holland Senior at this time. Fr. Coen assumed that he
died in the late 1840s as no record of him exists after this
time. In more recent times information suggests that
Holland senior was ill and was taking medicine for his
illness. It is reported that he died after taking medication.
Fr. Coen established that the Holland family moved to
Limerick in 1853.
Fr. Coen had a meeting in Galway with an old Christian
Brother, Br. O’ Brien and was surprised to learn that John
Author visiting Holland’s Cottage 1996.
Philip Holland had been a Christian Brother for some years.
Fr. Coen then wrote to Br. E.G. Clancy, CBS in Dublin and
on February 2nd 1960 he received a full chronology of
Holland’s teaching appointments whilst in the
Brotherhood.
12 G A L W A Y ’ S H E R I T A G E

The information revealed the following timeline.
• 1853: Limerick CBS
• 1858: Holland entered CB Order, Sexton St.,
Limerick (15th June).
Initial teacher training!
• 1858: Christian Brothers Cork - further
teacher training.
Bro. Dominic Burke: science and
maths professor.
Holland’s interest in flying and
submarines encouraged.
• 1867: Jules Verne- 20,000 Leagues Under the sea.
• 1861-1873: Cork, Portlaoise, Enniscorthy, Drogheda,
Dundalk (1869)
“Tonic-sol-fa”.
• 1873: Dispensation from Final Vows on grounds
of ill health.
• 1873: Emigrated United States (Boston) Preceded
by his mother and two brothers.
Whilst in Brotherhood
Holland maintained his
interest in science.
It was natural that the
young man who had been
born in Liscannor with its
legends of Kilstuiffeen, the
city under the sea, and the
stories of the Spanish
Armada, should have an
obscession with sea travel.
Holland was also interested
in flying and during his time
in Cork he drew up designs
for an aeroplane.
Fr. Coen learned of
The young Holland Holland’s good fortune
whilst in Cork, to have an
excellent science teacher in Bro. Dominic Burke, a Limerick
man. Bro. Burke encouraged him in his designs for a
submarine and in 1859 Holland completed his first drafts
for a submarine design. The publication of Jules Verne’s
novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, in 1870, greatly
excited him and motivated him to turn his own dream into
a reality.
Armed with newly acquired information Fr. Coen
proceeded to publish a preliminary article entitled Father
of The Submarine, in The Mantle, a Galway Diocesan
publication in the Summer of 1960.
In June 1960 Fr. Coen began corresponding with Dr.
Richard Knowles Morris, a grandson of one of Holland’s
engineers. Dr. Morris had a good deal of information
regarding Holland’s work and activities in America but his
Holland’s dynamic model (tested in tanks in Dundalk)
information about the Irish part of Holland’s life was ‘scant’.
Numerous letters crossed the Atlantic as correspondence
developed between Fr. Coen and Dr. Morris. Eventually a
fuller picture of John Philip Holland’s early life began to
emerge.
Fr. Coen embarked on a comprehensive tour of the U.S. in
the Summer of 1962 where he discovered that the memory
of Holland’s engineering achievements were well
documented. The Library of Congress produced new
information and a Newark newspaper carried an article on
him. His hometown of Paterson continued to remember
him. St John’s school, where Holland once taught, was still
functioning and Fr. Coen was shown a plaque near the
Passaic River where Holland once launched an
experimental submarine. Fr. Coen also saw the Fenian Ram
which was mounted on a pedestal in Paterson’s main Public
Park.
Accompanied by Dr. Morris Fr. Coen visited the General
Dynamics Corporation, at Groton, Connecticut. The
company incorporated Holland’s old Electric Boat
Company. From Dr. Morris Fr. Coen ascertained that all of
Holland’s children had died except one daughter,
Marguerite. Fr. Coen wrote to Marguerite but she died
before replying.
Fr. Coen had accumulated a significant body of information
following his conversations with Dr. Morris, and others, in
America. He now had a more complete picture and was
therefore able to publish two long articles in the Clare
Champion in 1963.
Holland joined his mother and brothers in America upon
leaving the Christian Brothers in 1873 and worked for a
time with an engineering firm. However he took up
teaching again for a further six years in 1874 (St. Johns
Catholic School) in Paterson New Jersey. During this
period he submitted his submarine design to the U.S. Navy
only to have it contemptuously rejected as “a fantastic
scheme of a civilian landsman”.
Holland was brought into contract with the Fenian
Movement, now reorganised as as Clann-na-Gael. The
organisation, under John Devoy, had devised a
“skirmishing fund”. The purpose of the fund was to wage
O I D H R E A C H T N A G A I L L I M H E 13

T H E P R I E S T A N D T H E S U B M A R I N E
a campaign of terror against England and to rescue
Fenians from English jails. It was thus that Holland set
about designing and building a submarine to use against
the British Navy. The plan was to construct a three man
vessel which would be carried aboard a merchant ship and
deployed in harbours and saboutage British Navy ships.
The fund allowed $6000,00 as an initial payment towards
research and development.
The first submarine, Holland 1, was designed in St. John’s
School with the help of an engineer William Dunkerley. The
experimental craft measured fourteen in length, carried
one man, and was launched in the Passaic River in 1877.
The experiment failed due to a leaking bung and the
submarine sank to the river bed. However the following
day Holland made two successful dives. The Fenians were
impressed and more money was allocated to build a vessel
“suitable for war”. The additional funding enabled Holland
to resign from his teaching post and work full time on the
project.
That first experimental craft, together with Holland’s
papers, is preserved in Paterson town Museum.
The second craft was built under great secrecy, reporters
found it difficult to get information. It was thus that one
Blakely Hall, New York Sun, unable to get information on
the new submarine labelled it The Fenian Ram. The vessel
was built at Delameter Iron Works, New York. It was
launched in May 1881. It was 31 feet long and with a 15hp
engine could be driven at 9 m.p.h. It had a displacement of
19 tons. It was armed with an underwater cannon fired by
compressed air. It was a significant development in and the
Fenians, having paid out some $60,000.00 wanted more
vessels quickly without further payments.The Fenians had a
falling out with Holland and he severed all connections with
them.
Holland 2 – The Fenian Ram.
Holland went to work with the Pneumatic Boat Company,
as a draughtsman, in 1883.
In 1887 Lt. William W. Kimball (later Rear- Admiral)
persuaded the U.S. Navy to set up a fund for submarine
development. Kimball encouraged Holland to develop his
designs for presentation to the Navy. The U.S. Government
held open competitions in 1888 and 1889. The
competition was a hard one with significant submissions
from others but Holland won both. No Government
contract followed. Another competition was held in 1893
which Holland also won. The Government offered a
contract to Holland in 1895 to build a submarine for
$150,000.00.
Holland set up the John Holland Torpedo Boat Company
in 1896.
His chief engineer was Charles A. Morris (grandfather of Dr.
R.K. Morris). Together they constructed, after many trial
and tribulations and interference from the U.S. Navy
representative, a vessel some 84 feet long. Much of the
work was done during Holland’s absence from work due to
illness. Holland was very disappointed with the result and
pronounced it “over engineered and cumbersome” and
abandoned it as useless. The Navy refused to comply with
Holland’s request to modify the vessel and he withdrew
from the project .
Holland set about to design and build Holland 6 which
would compete with the Plunger in a series of trials to be
devised by the Navy. It was to be his most successful to
date and was launched on May 17th 1897 two months
before the Government Plunger. Holland found it easier to
get financial backing at this stage. It was 53 feet long,
driven by a 45 h.p. gas engine for surface travel and a 45
h.p. electro dynamo for underwater travel. It was capable
of doing 8 knots on the surface and 7 knots submerged. It
made its first dive on Saint Patrick’s Day, 1898, in New York
Harbour. The Navy, under Theodore Roosevelt, eventually,
following a final test in March 1900, bought the Holland 6
on April 12th 1900. It was commissioned on October 12th
1900 the first submarine of the U.S. Navy.
S.S.1. Holland - first American submarine
Holland was to face other trials and tribulations in the years
ahead and the gifted designer was no match for the
machinations of big business. Recognising that the
company he established would not promote further
development he was forced to resign.
Holland resumed his research into flight. The knowledge
14 G A L W A Y ’ S H E R I T A G E

he acquired regarding “Three Axial Control” in his earlier
researches into aeronautics was applied to the control of
his submarines.
Three axial control enabled the Wright Brothers to achieve
the first controlled flight of a heavier than air machine. The
distractions of submarine research caused Holland to
postpone his aeronautical pursuits. Had submarine
research not intervened perhaps Holland might be
remembered for other reasons.
British Navy’s first of five Holland submarines.
The basic Holland specification was adopted by Vickers
when designing the special Midget Sub for use in World
War II.
World War II Midget Sub.
John Philip Holland died on August 12th ,1914 . His
passing went unnoticed. News of the death of Pope Pius X
and the great conflict unfolding in Europe grabbed the
headlines.
Fr. Martin Coen died on December 2nd 1997 and was laid
to rest in Ballymore Cemetery Craughwell.
The seminal work he did on John Philip Holland was the
inspiration for others and he certainly played a significant
role in bringing about Dr. Morris’ biography: John P.
Holland 1841(sic 1840)-1914.
He was indeed plagued by illness of mind and body for
many years yet managed to produce a large body of
articles for learned publications.
This author was greatly encouraged by Fr. Coen and the
assistance he gave me by making available his own
research notes was the deed of a committed historian.
Fr. Martin Coen rescued Holland’s name from obscurity and
he conveyed to this author his wish for the perpetuation of
the name of this great Irish genius.
The names of Coen and Holland will be forever linked
because of a chance encounter in The Pope’s Parish in
1959.
Rev Fr. Martin Coen John Phillip Holland
Refercences:-
Father of The Submarine: Martin Coen article in The Mantle, Galway
Diocesan Publication, Summer,1960.
Liscannor and Holland: Martin Coen a series of articles in Clare Champion,
Sept., 1963.
John Philip Holland:Pioneer in Submarine Navigation, article in North
Munster Antiquarian Journal, Vol X, 1966-1967.
John P. Holland, 1841-1914, Richard K. Morris, published by U.S.Navy
Institute, Annapolis, Maryland, 1966.
The Fenians And The Submarine, Fr. Martin Coen, article, Irish Times April
14th 1967.
JGAHS, 50, (1998), 218-219
Sculpture in Liscannor.
O I D H R E A C H T N A G A I L L I M H E 15

W H O F E A R S
Galway City has a long history of involvement with the
Gaelic Athletic Association and Gaelic football and hurling
was played in the city before the foundation of the G.A.A.
over 125 years ago. Many teams such as College Road
Stars, Galway City, Claddagh, Wolfe Tones, Shantalla,
Thomas Aches, John F. Kennedys, John Mitchells,
Commercials and more recently Fr. Tom Burkes, Fr. Lallys,
St. Patricks, Guth na n-Óg, St. Augustines, St. Kierans, to
name but a few, are now no longer in existence but were
the forerunners to the teams that exist today in the city –
Liam Mellows, Fr. Griffins, St. Michaels,
Salthill/Knocknacarra, Rahoon/Newcastle and St. James. It
is interesting to note that in many cases the names of the
clubs are to commemorate an individual with a connection
to the cause of Irish freedom or with a religious connection
and in some cases both. This is common with clubs in the
G.A.A. throughout the world.
One famous hurling team that was formally in existence
towards the end of the 19th century and affiliated to the
County Board, was 98’s who were based in the Bohermore
area of the city not far from the famed College Road Stars
hurling base. However, it is known that hurling was played
in the Bohermore area as far back as the late 18th century.
It was reported by a French writer in 1791 during his travels
that he had observed hurling being played in Bohermore.
Hurling in Galway City was popular at that time and there
are reports of matches that indicated there was fierce
rivalry between Claddagh, Galway City and 98’s. The City
Challenge Cup was the prize during that era and matches
were full of controversy and notoriety. Although records
are scant on trophies and competitions won by 98’s it was
in 1903 that Bohermore 98’s reached the final of the county
championship and faced a team from Ardrahan.
Unfortunately there was an “all out strike” by the team
when one of their players was sent off. The 98’s team
walked off the pitch in support of their player and the
game was awarded to Ardrahan.
Bohermore 98’s continued in existence up to the 1930’s
and appeared to have disbanded when the new Liam
Mellows Hurling club was established in 1933 in
Bohermore. Many members of the 98’s club formed the
nucleus of the Liam Mellows team that won their first
county title in 1935.
The photograph below appeared in the Connacht Tribune
in July 1985 and pictures the 98’s team sometime during
the 1920’s. It can be seen from the nicknames that the
Who Fears to Speak of ‘98’s?
Mícheál Higgins
team had many characters and personalities. One of the
members, Tom Fleming, a native of Bohermore was on the
All-Ireland winning Galway Team of 1923:
Photograph reproduced with thanks from the City Tribune,
Friday, July 5, 1985.
Back Row L-R: John Crowe (with cap and coat), James Tonery, John
Crowe, Josie Hehir, Tom Fleming, George Power, Tom McHugh (Ginger),
John Brown.
Middle Row L-R: Pady Barrett, Willie Skerritt, Paddy McHugh, Billy Lally,
Willie Crowe, Joe Kelly (Waller), Paddy Ruffley (Hamo), Willie Brooks
(Snookey).
Front Row L-R: Eddie Lynskey, Michael John Kennedy, Sonny Henry, John
Power (Bina).
According to the Connacht Tribune article:
“The name 98’s was resurrected again in G.A.A. circles
when the City Leagues (Coiste na nÓg) was established in
1957 by a number of forward thinking individuals whose
aim was to develop and foster G.A.A. games within Galway
City. This time 98’s had both hurling and football juvenile
teams and the catchment area was Bohermore and
Woodquay. This was extended in the 1970’s and 1980’s to
include College Road and Eyre Square. The other teams
around the city in the late 1950’s included St. Anthony’s
representing Newcastle, Western Stars representing “The
West”, Sarsfields from College Road and Renmore, Fr.
Lally’s from Shantalla, St. Nicholas’ from Claddagh and St.
Joseph’s from the Christian Brothers School in Lower
Salthill.”
Note: Mícheál Higgins is researching the history of various
G.A.A. Clubs in Galway City and would like to hear from
anyone with information, memorabilia, photographs or
press cuttings, medals, trophies and other items
associated with such clubs.
16 G A L W A Y ’ S H E R I T A G E

A Late Mesolithic Ground Stone Point from the River Corrib
JIm Higgins and Aodán McDonagh
A highly important and relatively rare discovery was
recently made by one of the writers (A. McD) while
snorkeling in the River Corrib in the area of the river
between Dangan House and Menlo Castle. The object is a
Ground Stone Point of Mesolithic date and is one of only
between eighteen and twenty definite examples of such
objects found in Ireland to date. Until recently few of these
have been found in scientifically datable archaeological
contexts, but Dr. John Bradley’s excavations at Moynagh
Lough, Co. Meath where six examples were found in Late
Mesolithic levels in that excavation.
The Mesolithic Groundstone Point from the River Corrib (Front)
The Mesolithic Groundstone Point from the River Corrib (Back)
What may be variations or rough-outs for two similar
objects were found in archaelogical excavations at
Ferriter’s cove, a mesolithic site in County Kerry excavated
by Dr. Peter Woodman in the 1980’s. One of these
Ferriter’s Cove items showed traces of having been hafted.
There are about a dozen or so definite and several other
possible examples of this type of object in the collections
of the National Museum of Ireland. Most are of shale, slate
or mudstone though examples of slate/sandstone also
occur. The Ferriter’s Cove examples are of siltstone.
The stone from which the Corrib object is made is a type of
stone usually associated with the Late Mesolithic Doolin
axe factory in Co. Clare. The new example emphasises
again the
importance of the
Corrib catchment
area as a major area
of importance in the
Irish Mesolithic in
the period from
approx 6500 to
4000BC.
Since the 1980’s
numerous finds of
Late Mesolithic,
Neolithic, Bronze
Age, Stone Age,
Medieval and Post
Medieval dates
have been found in
the River Corrib.
Helen Birmingham
of the Galway City
Aodán McDonagh with his prehistoric find
outside Galway City Museum
Museum/ Musaem Cathrach na Gaillimhe is working hard
to bring a selection of these finds back to Galway for
permanent display in the museum. It would be wonderful if
this new discovery could be displayed alongside other
important prehistoric finds from the city.
Finds of this significance are rare, but many new
discoveries continue to be made. The discovery of a Bann
Flake from Streamstown Bay in Connemara and the recent
dating of a shell midden at Tullybeg near Renvyle, Co.
Galway to the Late Mesolithic have been important
developments.
We would like to thank Maura Stewart, Galway, Mary Cahill
of the National Museum of Ireland, Dr, Peter Woodman, Dr.
John Bradley and Helen Bermingham of Galway City
Museum for their help and comments.
References:
McCormick, F. in Bennett, I. (ed) 2009 “785 Culfin Shell Midden”,
Excavations Bulletin Excavations 2006, Bray 2009, 192-3.
Gibbons, M. and Gibbons, M. (2004) “Dying in the Mesolithic?”
Archaeology Ireland 17(4) 2004, 28-31.
McCormick, F., Gibbons, M., McCormack, F.G. and Moore J.
(1996) “Bronze Age to Medieval Coastal Shell Middins near
Ballyconneely, Co. Galway”, J. Irish Archaeology, 7 (1996), 77-84.
O I D H R E A C H T N A G A I L L I M H E 17

S W A N S A N C T U A R Y
A New Swan Sanctuary at Lough Rusheen Park
Land and facilities for the provision of a sanctuary of swans
and other wildfowl is to be provided to the Galway and
Claddagh Swan rescue by Galway City Council. The group
hopes to provide a holding pen with high fencing which will
protect recuperating injured finds from predators. The
sanctuary is to be developed at the City Council’s Lough
Rusheen Park which along with nearby Barna Woods is a
haven for wildlife. Both areas have Natural Heritage
protections and are preserved by Galway City Council for
recreation, wildlife and leisure. Lough Rusheen is already
protected under the Wildlife Act as it is an important
nesting and breeding area for birds.
The Lough Rusheen Swan Sanctuary will be the first
For anyone interested in Ireland’s Farming Heritage there
is a new publication with that exact title now available from
The Heritage Council. The full colour A4 sized leaflet folds
out to become a double sided A3 poster printed on both
sides. Sections on the history and Heritage of Cultivation
Farm Cross and Livestock are combined with a short
introduction entitled “Ireland’s Farming Heritage”. There is
also a list of Irish Breeds and Types of Livestock both
surviving and extinct and in addition there is a very useful
designated
swan
sanctuary
in the state
and this
will be a
wonderful
asset for
the natural
heritage of
Galway City. It is hoped to have the facility opened in 2011.
The Galway and Claddagh Swan Rescue can be contacted
through Mary Joyce Glynn at 086 8155361
Book Review:
A New Farming Publication from the Heritage Council
section at the back which provides a list of Places to Visit
and Useful Contacts. A small Further Reading section is
also included.
The publication is an initiative of the Heritage Council
with the text by Jonathan Bell and Mervyn Watson edited
by Hugh Maguire. The publication is illustrated with
photographs supplied by the writers of the text and by
the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. A visit to Bunratty
Folk Park, Co. Clare, the Kerry Bog Pony Village at
Glenbeigh, An Daingean (Dingle), Co. Kerry are just two
of the places mentioned amongst the places to visit. The
Irish Agricultural Museum at Johnstown Castle, Co.
Wexford or the Museum of Country Life at Turlough Park,
Turlough near Castlebar, Co. Mayo (which is a branch of
the National Museum of Ireland is also well worth a visit).
The Ulster American Folk Park at Castlehill Omagh, Co.
Tyrone and the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at
Cultra Hollywood, Co. Down are also well worth a visit.
Muckross Traditional Farm at Muckross House, Killarney,
Co. Kerry is also mentioned. Many more could be added
to the list – a list which also includes mention of the
National Ploughing Association whose headquarters is at
Fallaghmore, Athy, Co. Kildare!
The publication is a very welcome one and is an ideal
classroom-aid and should be in every school in the country.
Copies of the publication in English and in Irish are
available free of charge from the following address: The
Heritage Council, Áras na h-Oidhreachta, Church Lane,
Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny. Tel: 056-7770777; Fax: 056-
7770788; email@heritagecouncil.ie; www.heritagecouncil.ie
18 G A L W A Y ’ S H E R I T A G E

Ireland’s Maritime Archaeology: Our Ancient Coastal
Landscapes – A publication of the Heritage Council
The significance of Ireland’s Maritime Archaeology has only
begun to be understood and appreciated in the main, over
the last thirty years or so. Though there has always been
some awareness, the interest has increased exponentially
in recent decades and we are now seeing inventories of
ship wrecks in Irish coastal waters being published and
important new pilot schemes on GIS and Irish Coastal
Heritage underway. The latter study under the auspices of
the Heritage Council is being undertaken in the areas
covered by Galway City Council, Galway County Council,
Clare County Council along with Kerry and Fingal County
Council. This Pilot Scheme will get underway during
Summer 2010 with Heritage Council Funding. Surveys of
traditional boats have also been completed for Galway City
and for much of County Galway, Fingal and other areas –
again with Heritage Council Funding. One of the easiest
ways of demonstrating the increased interest which has
occurred in matters maritime over the past few decades is
to dip into the massive tome entitled Biblio Mara which
was published in 2005 by the Heritage Council.
The publication under review is miniscule in size by
comparison of course, but is a wonderful addition to the
range of short succinct group of heritage related booklets
produced by the Heritage Council. It is a useful publication
which should help immensely in the promotion of
awareness of Ireland’s Maritime Heritage.
A full colour A4 sized booklet, the brochure unfolds to an
A3 form and is printed on both sides. The wonderful
photographs and short but highly informative chunks of
text provide a useful and thought provoking introduction
to the subject of Ireland’s Maritime Archaeology. The
topics dealt with include the main chronological periods in
archaeology from prehistory to modern times with a
mention of some of the developments relating to Maritime
archaeology mentioned very briefly. The past is divided
into the following chronological phases: (1) Mesolithic
hunter gathers to Neolithic farmers (8000 – 2500BC); (2)
Bronze Age and Iron Age (2500BC – AD400); (3) Early
Medieval Coastal Life and Traditions (AD400 – 1100); (4)
Anglo-Norman and Gaelic lordships (AD1100 – 1550); (5)
Post-Medieval maritime landscapes (AD1550 – 1840) and
finally, (6) Archaeology of the modern coastline (AD1840 –
2000). Only a very brief and potted overview can be given
in such a document so a flavour of the past alone is
imparted.
The inside of the fold-out has its lower third or so
dedicated to the topic of threats to our maritime
archaeology. These threats can and do include climate and
sea-level changes, natural coastal erosion, fishing and shellfish
farming, off-shore developments and, finally, coastal
developments and other human pressures. Among the
threats that could be added to the list are the following:
indiscriminate rubbish and litter dumping – an increasing
blight on land and coast as well as at sea, along with
vandalism treasure hunting. The driving of cars and
motorbikes, quad bikes and buggies onto dune systems
are also damaging archaeology wildlife and natural
heritage habitats.
Another section is devoted to Ireland’s Maritime Cultures
and Traditions. Ireland’s Maritime Heritage includes a
range of very diverse features from traditional boats to
lighthouses, piers and archaeological sites such as shell
middens, Fish palaces, fish traps and kelp drying kilns as
well as a huge range of other structures and features could
be added to the list.
There are also sections on the topics of “How to Get
Involved” and on “Where can I get Further Information”.
With over 7,500km of coastline Ireland has more shoreline
than most European countries and it is vital, therefore, that
local communities get involved in helping to preserve,
O I D H R E A C H T N A G A I L L I M H E 19

B O O K R E V I E W
study, investigate and survey the rich archaeological
heritage that abounds around the shoreline.
Further information on archaeological monuments in the
maritime and coastal zone may be available in the Republic
of Ireland from the National Monuments Service of the
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local
Government, Dun Scéine, Harcourt Lane, Dublin 2 (website
at www.archaeology.ie). If you discover a previously
unknown monument in the Republic of Ireland, you should
report it to the National Monuments Service. (Phone 01-
8882000).
If you find an archaeological object in the Republic of
Ireland, you must report it to the National Museum of
Ireland, Kildare St, Dublin 2, phone 01-6777444 (website at
www.museum.ie/).
In Northern Ireland, information may be available from the
Environment and Heritage Service at Historic Monuments,
Waterman House, 5-33 Hill Street, Belfast, Northern
Ireland, BT1 2LA (website at
www.ehsni.gov.uk/default.asp).
Jellyfish in our Coastal Waters – A new and useful guide
The Heritage Council has recently produced an attractive
booklet on jellyfish which is a most useful guide to the
species and their significance. Five species of jellyfish –
Barrel Blue Common (Moon), Compass and Lion’s Mane
are indigenous to Irish waters. A sixth species (Pelogia Noc
tiluca) is usually found in the ocean around Ireland but only
rarely appears in Irish coastal waters. Jellyfish are a part of
a group of animals called Cridarians (pronounced “nighdare-ree-annes”)
and have a simple body which is devoid
of a brain, liver, heart, lungs or bones. They are composed
of up to 96% water and use their muscles to push against
their internal fluids. This causes a pulsating action which
allows them to swim about. They use stinging cells to
capture food and for protection. They feed on plankton,
fish eggs and larvae and jellyfish themselves are eaten in
large numbers by leatherback sea turtles and sun fish.
These fascinating creatures are then described in a
beautifully succinct text in this recent publication by the
Heritage Council. The text is written by Tom Doyle and
Ailish Murphy. The booklet is an A4 size one which unfolds
to produce a double sided A3 poster with text and
illustrations on both sides. A general introduction deals
with “Jellyfish in our Coastal Seas” and there are short
sections on the following themes: “What are jellyfish”,
“Composition”, “The polyp”, “Jellyfish in Irish Waters”,
“Floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee”, “Lifecycle of
Jellyfish”, “Jellyfish and Fisheries”, “Are Jellyfish
increasing globally?” and “Jellyfish as food”.
Very useful sections on “Where to find jellyfish” and
“Where can I get further information” occur on the back of
the booklet. On the same page there is a list of useful
books and website addresses.
The publication is an initiative of the Heritage Council and
is available free of charge from the Heritage Council whose
address and website details are as follows:
The Heritage Council, Áras na h-Oidhreachta, Church Lane,
Kilkenny City,
Co. Kilkenny. Phone: 056-7770777; Fax: 056-7770788;
Email: mail@heritagecouncil.com
20 G A L W A Y ’ S H E R I T A G E

MERLIN PARK AND BARNA WOODS
BOOKLETS NOW AVAILABLE FROM GALWAY CITY COUNCIL
Two new booklets have recently been published by Galway
City Council. Both are available free at City Hall. The first is
entitled Merlin Park Woods Coillte Pháirc Mhuirlinne and
the second is entitled Barna Woods Coillte Bhearna.
Both booklets
are bilingual
and both are
based on
summaries of
Biodiversity
and
Management
Reports which
have been
compiled at
the behest of
Galway City
Council which
owns both
pieces of
woodland.
The Barna
Woods Project
B i o d i v e r s i t y
Report and
Management
Plan was carried out by A. Brown, K. Connolly, R.
McDonnell, C. Peppiatt, S. Springer, C. Williams and J.
Fuller who submitted a detailed survey and report on the
woods at Barna to Galway City Council. The project formed
part of an action of both the Galway City Heritage Plan
2006-2011 and of the Draft Galway City Biodiversity Action
Plan. The project was carried out in 2008 and was funded
by the Heritage Council and Galway City Council.
In 2009 it was decided to carry out a similar survey of
Merlin Park Woods and a study of the woods and an
extensive report was compiled by Janice Fuller and
Amanda Browne. Again the project survey was part of an
action of the Heritage Plan 2006-2011 and of the Draft
Galway City Biodiversity Action Plan. Again the detailed
survey was part funded by the Heritage Council.
Barna Woods are particularly significant from the
ecological point of view as well as being a beautiful place
to walk. The woods are linked to other natural habitats of
international conservation significance within the Galway
Bay Complex Special Area of Conservation. As well as the
natural heritage there are archaeological sites including
middens ancient field wall systems and so on within the
woodland.
The 2008 study of Barna woods provided an overview of its
wildlife diversity and its potential for further study.
The study
recorded thirty
species of
birds, a
heronry,
mammals such
as the
Natterer’s and
Soprane
pipistrelle
bats. Pygmy
shrews,
badgers, foxes
are also
present. Many
types of
beatles and
flies occur
including some
uncommon
species several
species of
mushrooms or
fungi occur.
The woods contain a variety of woodland types including
native oak – ash and willow mixes, wet-woodlands
dominated by alder and willow. Beech woods also occur.
Maintaining a mosaic of woodland habitats is vital in
keeping a variety of wildlife in the woods.
The Merlin Woods survey carried out in 2009 and produced
some very interesting results small areas of karst landscape
within the woods provide habitats for a wonderful range of
plants. These small limestone areas have a flora
reminiscent of the Burren area of Co. Clare. The Merlin
Woods contains a mix of native ash and hazel woodland
along with stands of conifers and beach woodland.
The castle on Merlin Park (Doughiska Castle) is a wonderful
example of a late 15th or 16th century townhouse. It
belonged at one stage to the Lynch family. The lands
became part of the Waithman families’ Merlin Park Estate
in the 19th century and the estate was sold for a nominal
sum to the Irish state in 1945 for the establishment of a
tuberculosis sanatorium. The Forestry Commission and
O I D H R E A C H T N A G A I L L I M H E 21

M E R L I N PA R K A N D B A R N A W O O D S
local farmers cleared much ground and planted large
swathes of conifers mainly Norway Spruce in the 1950s.
The castle is owned by the O.P.W. Parts of the excavated
buildings relating to the castle are on City Council land and
were excavated archaeologically on behalf of the Heritage
Office of Galway City Council a few years ago. Apart from
this the woods contain a number of ruined vernacular
houses, midden sites, and various 19th century garden and
landscape features.
Both Barna and Merlin Park Woods are great recreational
resources. They are amenities for walkers and orienteers
and educational resources for local schools, second and
third level institutions and community groups. They are
places of interest for wildlife enthusiasts and
archaeologists, scientists and nature lovers. Urban
woodlands like these provide havens and habitats for
wildlife, improve our quality of life, offer opportunities for
lifelong learning, soften the landscapes of cities, improve
air quality and have immense recreational potential.
In light of the above it is all the more infuriating to see
wonderful places like this being subjected to filthy littering,
vandalism and anti-social behaviour. Dumping and burning
out of cars is a frequent problem in Merlin Woods. Some of
the vernacular houses which were conserved by Galway
City Council have been burnt and their stonework
knocked. The locks to Doughiska Castle are frequently
broken and the inside of the castle is used for drinking in.
Vandalism at the castle has been a periodic problem. The
conserved walls outside the castle have been vandalised.
Builder’s rubble and pallets, washing machines and
computers are dumped along with domestic refuse to the
rear of some of the new houses in Merlin Park. Casual
littering occurs throughout the woods. Bottles and alcohol
tins occur in and around the castle. Barna Woods is not as
bad but minor littering occurs there as well.
It is hoped to organise a cleanup of both woods in the near
future. The leaflets are available free of charge from
Galway City Council, College Road.
Preserving and Enhancing Ireland’s Historic Churches and
Graveyards – some useful tips from the Heritage Council
The Heritage Council has recently published a easily
readable well illustrated and short publication entitled
Ireland’s Historic Churches and Graveyards.
This clearly written A4 size booklet folds out to become an
A3 poster which is printed in full colour on both sides. It
makes an attractive poster and is an ideal teaching aid for
schools – in fact it is a useful guide for the interested adult
and the school child alike.
Illustrated with good clear photographs there are brief
pieces of text on Grave markers: from Early Christian crossslabs
to Modern Headstones. This includes stones with
symbolism of both a religious and a secular type. Some
stones have vocational symbols showing the trade craft or
occupation of the deceased. One showing a farmer
ploughing with his team of horses is one of a group to be
found at St. Coman’s Cemetery in Roscommon Town.
Others have a carpenter’s saw and axe. One from Donegal
from Glencar, Co. Donegal has a hurling stick, ball and a
sword! Gravest ones with Masonic and military motifs as
well as flights of angels and crosses in an infinite variety of
forms also occur.
There are sections tracing the history of Irish churches
dealing with the topics of “The Early Church”, “Medieval
Reform and Re-organisation”. These sections set out the
historic and archaeological contexts and sequence of
development of churches and graveyards. In addition,
there are highly important sections which deal with the
topics of “Looking After your Graveyard” and “Conserving
and Enhancing Wildlife in Historic Graveyards”. The
“Looking after your Graveyard” section rightly places the
emphasis on keeping it natural not overly ‘tidying’
cemeteries to make them look like golf courses but leaving
hollows and banks, bumps and lumps well enough alone
especially because these are often archaeological features
with provide evidence for the history and evolution of the
site. No works should be carried out in a graveyard that
22 G A L W A Y ’ S H E R I T A G E

would damage
its character.
Instead
practical,
traditional
maintenance
methods –
light grazing,
k e e p i n g
vegetation at
bay on a
regular bases – are recommended. Cemeteries are places
for prayer, burial and places of immense historical,
archaeological and architectural interest. They are also
places of immense importance for natural heritage – for
flora and fauna and are valuable habitats.
The importance of cemeteries to local communities is
immense. The publication also deals with the topics of
“How to Get Involved” and “Where Can I get Further
Information”. Getting involved with a local historical or
archaeological society is an easy first step. Your local
Heritage Office can put you in touch with a variety of such
societies and with organisations involved with built, natural
or cultural heritage in general. Your local University or
Institute of Technology will usually have a department
which is involved with many of the aspects of built, natural
or archaeological heritage associated with churches and
cemeteries.
You should contact your Heritage Officer for advice before
carrying out any work in a graveyard and before doing so
a short list or schedule of works should be submitted to the
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local
Government and to the local Heritage Officer. Permission
for many types of work should be sought both from the
DoEHLG, the National Museum and the cemetery
owners(s).
A lot of further information is available. It is always
recommended that interested parties read a booklet
entitled “The Care and Conservation of Graveyards” which
is published by the DoEHLG and which may be
downloaded from the DoEHLG website at
www.archaeology.ie
The Heritage Council publication has some wonderful
illustrations including an imaginative reconstruction of the
Early Christian Monastery at Glendalough, Co. Wicklow as
it may have looked around 1150AD. Some of the other fine
quality photographs include illustration of a variety of
noteworthy features – the lynch gate of a cemetery at the
Curragh, Co. Kildare built in 1869 is given the same
prominence as the 10th – 11th century high cross at
Drumcliffe, Co. Sligo – the point being that these features
and monuments are all part of the varied heritage of our
Irish cemeteries.
The text of the booklet is by Caimen O’Brien who also
provided many of the fine photographs with additional text
by Ian Doyle of the Heritage Council. The publication is
available free of change from the following address: The
Heritage Council, Áras na h-Oidhreachta, Church Lane,
Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny. Tel: 056-7770777;
Fax: 056-7770788; email@heritagecouncil.ie;
www.heritagecouncil.ie
Copies are also available from the Heritage Office, City
Hall, College Road, Galway. (091) 536547.
Conservation Grants for Protected Structures Allocated
Protected Structure, Galway City
There has been a marked reduction in the amount of
Grants and for Protected Structures this year. Each year
Galway City Council, like other local authorities receives
and allocation for Protected Structures in Private
Ownership rfom the DOEHLG. This has gone from over
€160,000 to just over €50,000 from 2009 to 2010. With
over 600 protected structures in Galway City, there is very
little conservation work that can be carried out for that
amount of money. It is hoped that the allocation for 2011
will be better. Galway City Council provided grants for
seven structures this year. Applications are available from
the Heritage Officer, the Planning Department.
Galway City like every Local Authority in the State keeps a
record of Protected Structures and copies of this record are
stored at the Planning Department at City Hall, College
Road.
O I D H R E A C H T N A G A I L L I M H E 23

Galway’s Heritage/Oidhreacht na Gaillimhe is a
publication of Galway City Council and is edited
by Jim Higgins, Galway City Heritage Officer. It
is also available on the Galway City Council
website @Galwaycity.ie. Copyright of the
Heritage Office and other contributors.
GALWAY’S HERITAGE
OIDHREACHT NA GAILLIMHE
Back Issues of Galways Heritage /
Oidhreacht na Gaillimhe
Back Issues of this publication can
be consulted on the Galway City
website at www.galwaycity.ie
24 G A L W A Y ’ S H E R I T A G E