14 STREETS OF GALWAY
The early town of Galway was laid out inside the city walls, which were erected by the de Burgo
family in order to protect the town. Although almost all of the original city wall is now gone (only a
small portion remains in the present Eyre Square Centre), the original streets, dating from the 1270s,
can still be found, and many retain their original names. It is interesting to note that along with the 14
Tribes of Galway, there were 14 streets in the original town. These first Galway streets are clearly
depicted in the famous 1651 map of Galway, and if you were to compare this map with a modern day
one, you will see that the layout of the original streets has changed very little. So when people
complain that the streets of Galway’s city centre are very narrow, you can tell them that this is because
they date from medieval times, when there were no cars or trucks trying to drive through the town
centre!
The 14 streets shown on the 1651 map were:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Kea Street (now Quay Street.)
Crosse Street (now Cross Street),
Gaol Street (now High Street/Mainguard Street).
High Middle Street is (now Shop Street,
Great Gate Street (now Williams Street)
Little Gate Street (now Upper Abbeygate Street)
Skinner’s Street (now Lower Abbeygate Street)
Bridge Gate Street (now Bridge Street)
North Street (now Market Street)
Street Between Two Lanes (now Middle Street)
New Tower Street, later Back Street (now St. Augustine Street)
Lombard Street
Pludd Street (now Whitehall)
Earl Street
We are very fortunate in having practically all of the medieval lay-out of the original town of Galway
still intact, as it gives us some idea of what early Galway would have looked like, with its narrow
streets and tall, cut-stone buildings. It is this medieval atmosphere which makes Galway unique, and
which is why so many visitors like to visit our city. Our historic streetscapes are what make our city so
special, so it is in all our interests to value and protect them for future generations.
CLASS ACTIVITY
You can see clearly how some of the streets got their names. Quay Street came about its name because
it leads down to the quays. Bridge street because it lead to the main bridge across the river. Great Gate
Street was so called because it was the street that led to the Great Gate of the city wall. Can you guess
how the other streets got their names?
Compare the 1651 map with the map of modern-day Galway. What new streets have been added?
Look at the names of the new streets which have been added to the city. Why do you think these
streets were given these names?
Can you pick out any of the following buildings on the 1651 map?
Lynch’s Castle
De Burgo Castle
St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church
Can you find the location of modern-day Eyre Square on the map?