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Galway City Museum
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Galway City
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The Galway Museum is
essentially a folk museum and it features a considerable
number of artifacts related to the fishing industry, which
was, and is an integral part of tradition in the city. The
museum aims to provide a cross section of the antiques and
implements that were historically used in Galway, reflecting
its traditions. Artifacts include farm implements and tools
as well as pieces of machinery. There is an impressive
collection of military material, including arms. |
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Galway's medieval heritage is
also represented in the medieval section, along with a
series of 17th century stone carvings.
Galway City Museum was established in 1976. The premises
were built c.1800 as a private house. In recent years they
have been occupied by the Comerford and Greenwood families
and between 1948 and 1954 by the sculptress Clare Sheridan.
It became part of the Corporation's administrative offices
for a period, prior to the establishment of the Museum.
Beside the entrance door, on your right as you approach, you
will see the Blind Arch and the Spanish Arch. Originally
there were four arches. The Museum now occupies the position
of the two inner arches. The original Docks were build in
1270 and are now under the foundations of the maroon painted
building, on your left as you enter. In 1584 the new Docks
were completed. The use of the arches is obscure, it is
possible they were used as a storage facility outside the
Walls, in this way no taxes would have been levied on the
goods stored there. A re-erected fireplace, dated 1602, can
be seen in the Blind Arch. It bears the arms of the Lynch
and Penrice families and the initials M.L.
Entering the Museum, on your left, are some reminders of the
prowess of the Connaught Rangers, a Regiment of Irish
Soldiers in the British Army. Reminders here also of our
Insurrection of 1916 and the Civil War. The great map of
1651 is displayed adjacent to the carriage of Lady Bandon of
Fermoy, Co. Cork. The carriage was built in London in 1850.
On the other side of the spiral staircase and overhead are
some fine examples of mirrors from Galway premises. Beneath
are examples of medieval stonework, some early 17th century,
depicting coats-of-arms of some of the ancient city
families, the Arms of Galway of 1647 and other stonework.
Various early photographs of Galway,
Claddagh and the
Claddagh Residents are one display together with some old
maps and sketches, a Bellarmine Jug and examples of old Rush
Lights and early candles. A recent acquisition is a replica
in bronze of the Galway Bronze Age Horn, a musical
instrument in use from c.1200 - 700 BC.
Entering the room where the turf fire is burning you will
see, over the fireplace a number of fish spears and a fine
example of a trout from
Lough Corrib, preserved in a glass
case. On the left of the fireplace are examples of
tinsmith's work and old pottery. Further to your left you
will see the beautiful wrought iron gates guarding the
Archway room which now houses old bicycles. It was used as a
Chapel by Clare Sheridan. Further left you will see old
boots, wicker baskets, medicine bottles, and old 'time
clock' grocery account books of the 1940's, a typewriter of
1908, a glass case containing bag aprons and a shawl which
is approximately 200 years old. Next is a display of knife
sharpeners, some old tobacco and snuff boxes beneath some
drawings of c.1820 of
Lynch's Castle and the courthouse. On
the other side of the doorway is a hand truck which is
approximately 100 years old and one on the wall |
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