County Galway
One of the most vibrant Irish destinations you're likely to come across, Galway offers the best of both worlds - the charm of a buzzing city, alongside some fantastic rural scenery.
Galway itself grew from a small fishing village in the Claddagh area and became a walled town when Richard De Burgo and the Anglo Norman's captured local O' Flaherty territory in 1232. The Anglo-Normans are thought to have built the town walls around 1270. In 1396, Richard II granted a charter to the city, transferring power to fourteen merchant families or tribes (hence Galway's name as the 'city of tribes'). Mostly English or Norman in origin, numerous clashes ensued between these families and leading Irish families in Connemara.
Clinging to its independent status, the ruling merchant families continued to remain loyal to the English crown. Galway's isolation, however, encouraged a very successful trade with Portugal and Spain and for a significant period the county enjoyed great prosperity. The tables were soon to turn, however, following the arrival of Cromwell in 1651 and the besiegement of the city. This event marked the beginning of a period of decline for Galway. With Dublin and Waterford claiming the important sea-traffic, trade with Spain was almost at an end. Many years were now to pass before Galway would again enjoy such bounty.
Today, Galway tells an altogether different story. A bohemian mecca, the city boasts a wealth of great shops and restaurants and like any other Irish city, caters for every taste and tipple as far as pubs are concerned. Galway also plays host to one of Ireland's largest cultural events - the Galway Arts Fest. Each summer the Arts Fest hits Galway's streets, entertaining crowds with top class acts and performances from both home and abroad. The Galway Races in the last week of July draw similar crowds.
