When Galway Was Burned — and the Corrib Dried Up — Ancient Arms Found in its Bed — the Citizens of Galway Close Their Gates Against De Lauzun
Galway Observer, July 7, 1930.
Introduction
Blake Forster gives the following account. In his history of Galway in the eleventh century.
After the defeat of the Irish army at the Battle of the Boyne, the Duke de Lauzun, with much ability, conducted the retreat to Limerick; but on hearing that the Irish intended to maintain that city against the Prince of Orange, being in no way daunted by their late defeat, he resolutely refused to take part in its defence.
On the 10th August, the day after, the prince of Orange besieged Limerick, the Duke of Tyrconnell; without consulting Sarsfield or other Irish officers, ordered the regiments which guarded the fords to withdrawn from thence and march to Galway. This treacherous act, together with his former vacillating conduct, caused the Irish to mistrust the Duke, and made them believe that he secretly favored the Prince of Orange, as by this movement he left a passage open for William to send part of his army to the Connaught side, and thereby completely surround the city. Indeed on the 11th, part of the Williamite cavalry, having crossed, made a display as if it was their intention to besiege the city on that aide also.
However, though they quickly returned, the Duke of Tyrconnell and the Duke de Lauzun were so alarmed that they retired in great haste, resolved to take refuge in Galway, where the latter intended to take shipping and return to his native country. He had under his command 3,000 French' troops the remainder having already sailed for France, under the Marquis de la Hoguette, Marechal—de—Camp. But this vain man little knew the honourable and upright character of the inhabitants of the city of Galway which he was now approaching.
Galway is a county of a town, situated on the north side of Galway Bay, 53.14' north 9.3' west, 126 ½ miles west of Dublin, and fifty—one miles north—north—west of Limerick, and in all probability is the 'Nuguartha' of Ptolemy, from the circumstance of its ancient appellation of Cuan Nugactie — the Harbour of the Small Islands. The town is built on both sides of the river, which has its source in Lough Corrib, anciently called Lough Orsben, the largest lake in Connaught, covering 30,000 acres, and having a subterranean communication with Lough Mask at Cong. After passing the ferry at Knock, the lake becomes an extensive sheet of water until within three miles of Galway, where it assumes the character of a river, which it retains until, after passing through the town, it falls into the bay.
In ancient times, or. long previous to the first arrival of the Anglo—Normans in Ireland, in May, 1169, the district in which Galway stands was vested in the O' Hallorans, a sept of Milesian race. It was called Clan—fir—gall, the town of the Foreign Merchants, from a number of enterprising strangers having settled there, where they carried on a considerable trade. It was also called Ballinshruane, the Town of the Little Stream. In 835 the plundering Danes, under their fierce leader, Turgesius, ravaged the Kingdom of Connaught, and burned the village, which then stood on the present site of Galway.
In 1124 the village was rebuilt, and although composed of small huts, a strong castle was erected. It was again plundered in 1128, by the O'Flaherties and other septs. In 1132 a party of Dalcassians sailed across the bay from Thomond, demolished the castle, burned the village, and slew many of the inhabitants. They also killed Conor O'Flahertie, Chieftain of Iur—Connaught, and in 1149 Torlough O'Brien, the warlike King of Munster, invaded Connaught, and destroyed the fort called Dunebun—na—gaileve.
Burned in 1181
In 1154 a fleet—sailed from Galway to the North, to wage war against, the O'Neill's and O'Donnell's, and lay waste to Tyrone and Tyrconnell. Galway was consumed by fire in 1161. This year, also, a large army, composed of the people of Iar—Connaught, sailed to Thomond, and having burned all the houses, in 'the west' of Coroomroe, slew many hundreds of the inhabitants, and carried off a great prey of cattle and a great many of other valuable things. A fleet was equipped in Connaught — several of its crew being Galway men — and when ready, departed on a plundering expedition. It sailed up the Shannon as far as Tipperary and remained there from November until May.
In 1170 Galway, was accidentally burned; So that when the Anglo—Norman's invaded the kingdom of Connaught, in 1177, they found only five families, mostly those of fishermen who resided there under the protection of the native Irish.
In the year 1177 there was a great storm, by which several buildings were destroyed, and in 1178 the river of Galway dried up and remained so for three days. Ancient arms and coins were found in its bed. The Normans also for its first time, invaded the kingdom of Thomond. In the following year 1179, William Fitz Adelm de Burgh, being in England; succeeded in procuring from Henry II a grant of Connaught, which although of no advantage to him, not being acknowledged by the native inhabitants as their lord, caused, notwithstanding, internal warfare, confusion and misery, which lasted for many long years.
In 1190 the river of Galway again dried up. A considerable quantity of old arms and other curiosities were found in its bed; the principal of which were a board steel axe and a spear—head, one cubit in length.
In 1210 the King of Connaught proceeded to Westmeath and paid homage for the first time to King John, who held his Court there, and gave him four hostages as security for his fidelity, whom John took with him on his return to England.
In 1230 Richard de Burgh, Lord of Connaught, marched into that kingdom and having laid waste the greater portion of it, besieged the castle of Galway, which was occupied by Aodh or Odo O'Fflahertie, Chieftain Of Iar—Connaught, but the castle being relieved on the west side by a large force of the native Irish under Odo, King of Connaught, De Burgh raised the siege.
In 1232 — Richard de Burgh built a large strong castle for his town residence in Galway, which ultimately became the capital of Connaught. This fortress was afterwards known as the Red Earl's Castle. At this period the following families resided in Galway, some of whom were settled there for a long time previous to the Norman Invasion:
Bermingham, Butler, Burke, Barrett, Burdon, Brunt, Blundell, Branegan, Begg, Calfe, Cale, Coppinger, Crean, Colman, Develin, Fallon, Flaherty, Ffrihin, Howth, Howe, Kellerie, Kerwick, Kuncaorach, Long, Lawless, Lambert, Moylan, Muneghan, Moore, Nolan, Pearice, Poat, Quirk, Quinn, Sage, Semper, Tierney, Tully, Valley, Verdon, Weider, Wall, White, Lefickhall.
In 1233, Odo, King of Connaught having died, Fedelim O'Connor, his relative, gained his liberty, and was proclaimed king. He then destroyed the castles of Galway Dunamon, Kirk Island, and Hag's castle. The town and castle of Galway were burned to the ground in 1247, and in 1270 walls to encompass the new town were commenced, but were not completed for many years after.
In 1271, Walter de Burgh, Earl of Ulster and Lord of Connaught, died in his castle at Galway (and 1274 Thomas Lynch is recorded as having being Provost of the town, In 1276, an attempt was made to plunder Galway by the neighbouring septs, but after a fight of a few hours they were— successfully resisted by the inhabitants, and the security afforded by the strong walls by which it was encompassed at this period, induced many to settle in the town, who enriched themselves by trade and commerce, which was so prosperous that the customs amounted this year to £40 15s 0 ½ d. As the town grew wealthier it became more subject to pillage; and seeing it was necessary for their protection to do so, the inhabitants, 1277, entered into an alliance with Dermot More O'Brien, grandson of Teige, surnamed Aluinn, who resided at Troma, in Thomond.
Shortly after, this bold Chieftain received a grant, from the enterprising merchants of Galway, of 12 tons of wine, which they covenanted to be paid yearly by them and their heirs, to him and his heirs, provided they maintained a suitable fleet to protect the town from the incur; scions of invaders.
Another Attempt
1288, the neighbouring septs made an unsuccessful attempt to burn the town, and in 1290 Richard Blake was Portrieve, which office he retained during the following years, and in 1301 Walter Ffrench was Portrieve, when many strangers settled in the town. Walter Ffrench again filled this office in 1303, when, in consequence of the unsettled state of affairs, the customs of the town had fallen so much that they now only amounted to £4 7s 1d. The New Customs, which was the name given to a tax imposed this, year, of three pence in the pound, on all merchandise imported by foreigners, was granted to the Crown, but towards the close of the same year this tax was let for twelve months to Richard Blake, for the sum of £32.
In 1305, when Walter Ffrench was again Provost, the town was plundered by a party of the O'Flaherty's, and several of the houses were burned. In 1306 Thomas Sage and Simon Long, were appointed collectors of the New Customs, and also of the wine custom, which was a tax of 2s on every hogshead imported. On the 4th May 1307, the New Customs were granted to Thomas Dolphin, of Goulbully, County Galway, by letters patent from King Edward II, on the security of' Edmund House, Philip Purcell, Richard Blake, and William Seman. In October, the Great Customs — those payable on wool, sheepskins, and leather exported — were granted to Crucheus Hubert, and the New Customs were let to Crucheus Delpas.
In 1310, Andrew Gerard , a native of Florence, who traded with Galway, was keeper of the customs, but as they had fallen considerably in consequence of the disturbed state of the times, he received an abatement in his rent. That the customs reduced may be inferred from the following quaint extract from a document: of the time.—
"For yet it appears yt ye customes in Galway wer worth lesse in yt yeare than heretofore, by reason of ye bloody ware lately raised and carried on between Richard de Clare, in ye kingdom of Tothemond."
In 1311, Andrew Gerard, the foreigner, received a re—grant of the customs, on condition that he paid 15 marks yearly to the Exchequer as long ns he held the same—the customs, at this time amounting to £60. Though the town was so prosperous, it was not until 1312 that the Great Gate, and some additional new works, were made by Nicholas Lynch, the Town Marshal, who was surnamed Niger, or the Black. The Portrieve this year was Richard Blake. The Knights Templars, whose temple stood outside the east gate, being surpressed, King Edward II granted their possessions to the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, who after being driven from the Island of Rhodes after a desperate siege, removed to, and became celebrated in history as the Knights of Malto.
In 1313, John de Burgh, son of Richard, the Red Earl, so named from the colour of his hair, died at Galway. In 1320, the church of Galway was erected, and was dedicated to St. Nicholas of Myra, in Asia, the patron of mariners, and in 1324 the Church of St. John of Jerusalem, which was adjacent to the Church of St. Nicholas was pulled down. This year also Sir William de Burgh surnamed Leigh, or the Grey, died, and was interred in the Abbey of St. Francis, of which he was founder. Sir William left, besides daughters, seven sons, the eldest of whom, Sir William the Younger, or, Ulick was the first who was styled the Mac William Eighter, and was father of Rickard, from whom his descendants were called, by the Irish Clan—Rickard, or the children of Rickard, but this name was not borne as a title of honour by the family until the reign of Henry V111.
O'Brien's Bridge
In 1342 the stone bridge at the west was built under the superintendence of Edmond Lynch, of Newcastle, surnamed Emun—a—Tuane, from the large quantity of wine he usually imported. On the 20th May 1361 King Edward III granted to the inhabitants a Murage Charter for the purpose of having the town walled in and in 1375, the town has risen to such importance that the King's Staple was established for the sale of wool, woolfells, leather, etc. Previous to this period, the sale of these articles were restricted to Cork and Drogheda. This was founded to be most inconvenient as vessels had to sail from all other parts in Ireland to either of those, to pay the duty before departing on their voyage, and as some of the ships often avoided doing so, it considerably lessened the revenues of the kingdom. Therefore to prevent this in future, and, to use the words of the charter, "for the relief of the burgesses and merchants of the town of Galway, and that they and other merchants of Connaught might no longer incur the dangers of shipwrecks, and other crosses, as they had heretofore suffered, by going towards the city of Cork to pay their customs, the Staple was granted to Galway.
In November, 1388, many of the burgesses and citizens, under the command of Henry Blake, tolled the town bell, and declared themselves rebels to the King's authority; and, having joined William de Burgh, the Mac William Eighter, who was then in arms, delivered to him they keys of the town, but as he shortly afterwards submitted the citizens returned to their allegiance.
On the 8th November 1396, King Richard II, granted a perpetual Murage Charter to the town, and he afterwards granted a second charter, on the 26th of January, empowered the inhabitants to elect a Sovereign annually. In 1399, Ulic Mac William of Clanrickard stormed the town, plundered the inhabitants, and carried off all the gold and silver therein. On the 12th March, 1402.
King Henry IV. granted a charter of confirmation to the town. Sir Stephen Leacrop was appointed Governor of Connaught, and Receiver of the Customs of Galway and Athenry, for one year, with the exception of the fisheries of the former place.
On the 13th February 1442, William, Bon of William de Burgh, was paid £10 out of the Treasury of Ireland, as a reward for his services in having, enabled the King's officers to collect the customs of the port. In 1461 King Edward IV (who deposed Henry VI of the House of Lancaster in 1461), being anxious for the welfare of Galway, the chief city in the Lordship of Connaught, which province was his in right of his maternal ancestors, granted to the inhabitants a Murage Charter on the 28th August, for the purpose of having the town walled in. This charter directed to have the tolls and customs expended on the walling and paving of the town, and for its greater security it was ordered that no person, no matter of what rank in the country; with the exception of the Lieutenant and Chancellor of Ireland, should be admitted within the walls without a license from the Sovereign, Provost, Bailiffs, Burgesses, and commonality for the time being. This was principally directed against the native Irish septs, and the Anglo—Norman; families, who had adopted their manners; customs, usages, and dress.
In 1487, Lord Dunboyne was granted the Prisage of Limerick, Cork, Ross, Youghal, Kinsale, Dingle, and Galway. In 1484 the inhabitants obtained from Donal O'Murry, Archbishop of Tuam, permission to release the town from his jurisdiction, and to change the church, to be governed by a Warden of Vicars, who were to be presented and solely elected by the people of the town. Accordingly a petition was forwarded to the Court of Rome, to His Holiness Innocent VIII, in which they stated that they were modest and civil people." and that their neighbours were rude and savage, and were brought up in woods and mountains, by whom they were often robbed, imprisoned, and murdered. The result was that the Pope granted a Bill of Confirmation to them. They next petitioned King Richard III, praying that he would be pleased to grant them a new charter, empowering them to elect, from thenceforth and forever, a Mayor and Bailiffs, like other cities. Their petition also humbly prayed that all persons including the King's Lieutenant and Chancellor, who were then privileged, be prevented from entering the town unless they had license to do so; and they particularly requested to have Mac William Eighter for ever excluded from exercising authority within the town. The King was greatly pleased to comply with the request and a new charter was accordingly granted dated at Westminster on the 15th December.
In 1485, Pierce Lynch was the first Mayor, and Andrew and James Lynch, the bailiffs. Under the new charter granted the previous Mayor and bailiffs were elected on the 1st August, and sworn in on the 29th September following.
In 1506, a fosse was cut round the town wall, into which the water of the river was turned and it completely insulated the town . In 1538, John Ffrench was Mayor. He was born in 1486, and is represented in the Annals as a man of great wealth and unbounded liberality. He erected the great chapel on the south side of the Francisian Friary, the large and handsome stone building which stood on arches over the river, and was called "John Ffrench's Chamber." He also made several additions to the Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas, and amongst others erected at considerable expenses, the spacious wing extending from the north pinnacle to the Chapels of Blessed Sacrament.
On the 3rd of July, 1545, a charter was granted by Henry VIII, confirming all former charters, and adding considerable privileges, and on the 6th November 1550 Edward VI gave a charters of confirmation to the town, but it did not confer any new privileges.
In 1551, the Collegiste Church of St. Nicholas was seized in the name of the King. The Catholic Warden and Vicars, were turned out, and his Majesty, by letters patent bearing date the 29th April, declared that the transformation of the church into a Collegiate Church by Pope Innocent VIII, was void, and at the same time, as Supreme Head of the Church of England, he established it as a Protestant form and a layman named Patrick Kirwan, was appointed Warden, eight vicars were nominated, and several of the changes made.
On the 11th February 1603, James I granted all the possessions of the Augustinian Friary to Sir George Carew, Knight, and in the following year the circuit for Judges of Assize commenced in the county of Galway, and for several years the Assizes were alternatively held in Galway, and Loughrea.
On the 18th December, 1610, a charter was granted by King James I. Separating "the Town of Galway" and all castles, messuages, rivers, rivulets, lands, tenements and other hereditaments whatsoever, lying and being within the space of two miles of every part of the said town, in a straight line, which should run henceforth and forever be one entire country of itself, distinct and separate from "the county of Galway, and to be called, and known as the County of the Town of Galway, that the site and precincts of the Abbey of St. Francis, and, St. Augustine's Fort, and its land should be excluded from the County of the town, and belong to the Count of Galway, that the Judge of Assize and general jail delivery might hold their sessions in said Abbey, and the Sheriffs of the County of Galway, their County Courts there. A guild of merchants of the Staple presided over by a Mayor, and composed of two Constables, and such a number of Merchants as they, the Mayor of the staple and big Constables, should think fit, was established. The Corporation of the Town was empowered to use several ensigns and ornaments, and the Mayor, for the time being, to have a sword and mace borne before him. In this year also the bailiffs were first called Sheriffs.
Galway's Loss Decided Fate of Ireland
On 12th of April, 1652, the gates of Galway were thrown open to the Cromwellian army, the town having surrendered after a long and obstinate siege. Sir Charles Coote directed Colonel Peter Stubbers to march in with two companies of foot and take possession of Galway. The town was at this period so strong, and of such importance, that its loss was said to have "decided the fate of Ireland." Colonel Stubbers took up his quarters in the large building in High Street. His insolent soldiers were not long in the town when they commenced to persecute the peaceful and industrious inhabitants in a terrible manner. This caused the people to combine to oppose them, and they agreed among them selves to hold no intercourse whatever with Stubbers, or the troops under his command.
These Families, who were of different races and settled in the town at different periods, were fourteen in number, and from the feeling of clanship which existed between them...