It is said that Galway takes its name from the colony of Gauls who settled there.

In 1124, Turlough O'Connor, the King of Connacht, built the castle Bun Gaillimhe. It was around this castle that the community of Galway first originated.

A Norman family seized the village in the 13th century, and fortified the surrounding area.

Richard II granted the town a charter in 1484, to encourage its trade with Spain. Galway's main exports were linen, wool, leather, produce and fish.

One of the most famous families of Galway was the Lynch family. Tradition says that in 1493, Mayor Lynch had to sentence his son to death for the murder of a Spanish visitor, and when the executioner refused to carry out his sentence, Lynch hanged his son himself. From this came the American custom of "lynching." However, some sources say this story fictitious.

In 1893, the Gaelic League began to promote the regeneration of Irish culture and language. Galway became a centre for Irish language revival. In 1929, Galway University became the centre of bilingual higher education.

Claddagh was a section of Galway, outside of the city walls. Its inhabitants spoke Irish, and Claddagh elected its own community officials. The famous Claddagh ring became popular here in the 17th century. In 1934, the village of Claddagh was declared unhealthy and the district was demolished and replaced with new buildings.

Today Galway is a major commercial centre for western Ireland, serving as a tourist gateway to the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara and the Aran Islands.

Well-known residents have included:
· Eilis Dillon, writer
· John Arden, playwright and novelist
· Margaretta D'Arcy, playwright
· Nora Barnacle, wife of James Joyce
· Padraic O Conaire, writer
· Rita Ann Higgins, poet
· Robert O'Hara Burke, explorer of Australia

Annual events include:
· Arts Festival - 16-29 July 2007
· International Oyster Festival - 27-30 September 2007
Dates often change. Check Galway web sites and events links in the sections below.