Blakes Castle in the heart of
Galway town, was a 15th century town house of the Blakes.
Used later as a town jail up to the 19th century, it is now
restored as part of a hotel.
The Blake family were of British extraction, said to be
descended from one of the Knights of the round table.
They arrived in Ireland
with Strongbow, and became a powerful family in the area,
with several important seats. These included Menlo, Ardfry,
Ballyglunin, Castlegrove and several others.
The family became another
of the
Tribes of Galway, and are still well represented in
the area. |
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