This Claddagh ring is thought to be the oldest in existence. It dates from c. 1700 and was made by renowned Galway goldsmith Richard Joyce. A remarkable but largely unproven story describes his capture by Barbary pirates and his subsequent slavery in North Africa. According to the story, while there he developed his trade until [...]
On 30 June 1922, after 60 hours of shelling by the Free State Army, the Republican garrison in the Four Courts surrendered and IRA leaders Rory O'Connor, Liam Mellows, Richard 'Dick' Barrett and Joseph 'Joe' McKelvey were arrested and imprisoned in Mountjoy. It was a significant blow to the Republican cause. The Four Courts, [...]
In this episode, Tom Kenny is looking at the history of Our Ladys Boys Club. Next week the boys are going on their 80th camp and if you would like to donate please contact Pat Giles CO: Our Ladys Boys Club, Sea Road, Galway. Ronnie O'Gorman is looking at Micheal Henry Burke of Ballydugan but [...]
The republican daily, Poblacht na h-Eireann (sic) was first published on 28 June, the ‘Seventh Year of the Republic’, the first day of the Free State attack on the Republican garrison in the Four Courts - the start of the civil war. In this second 'stop press' issue, dated 29 June, the IRA’s Army Executive [...]
The Irish Civil War began 100 years ago today. On 28 June 1922, after several months of uneasy tension between Free Staters and Republicans over the Treaty, the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State – under pressure from the British – began shelling the Four Courts complex in Dublin, where the Republican garrison was [...]
In this episode, Tom Kenny is looking at the history of The Bish school in Nuns Island. Ronnie O'Gorman is looking at Micheal Henry Burke of Ballydugan. Advertiser.ie · The Old Galway Diary Podcast - Episode 68 - The Bish & The Landlord Burke Part 2 Related Articles: Burke defies his tenants and [...]
On 20 June 1922, Liam Mellows – who had just lost his Galway seat in the recent general election – delivered an oration at the annual pilgrimage to the grave of Theobald Wolfe Tone (1763–1798) at Bodenstown, Co. Kildare. Among the other high-profile figures present were anti-Treaty Republicans Rory O’Connor, Harry Boland, Countess Markievicz, Margaret [...]
This week, in conjunction with Galway County Council and An Garda Síochána, the Museum launched its new temporary exhibition to mark the centenary of the establishment of the Civic Guard (later An Garda Síochána). Here is an interesting contemporary account of the Civic Guard by Commissioner Eoin O'Duffy from "The Voice of Ireland (Glór na [...]
One hundred years since the public vote on the Anglo-Irish Treaty The 16 June marks the centenary anniversary of the general election in which Irish voters had the opportunity to vote for candidates who supported or rejected the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which granted Dominion Status, similar to that of Canada and South Africa, to 26 of [...]
The Garda Síochána Galway / Gaillimh 1922- 2022 exhibition commemorates 100 years of An Garda Síochána serving the people of County Galway. This brand new exhibition is currently on display in Galway City Museum. “The Garda Síochána will succeed not by force of arms or numbers, but on their moral authority as [...]
