Galway Heritage and History

12/03/2026

Top tip: Visits to the castle have free admission on the first Wednesday of each month, like many other OPW Heritage Sites.

Aughnanure Castle is open for the 2026 season.

12/02/2026

The free way to research your Irish family Tree. Now updated with the following records.

The records now available on www.irishgenealogy.ie, include:
Birth records – 1864 to 1925
Marriage records – 1845 to 1950
Death records – 1864 to 1975

Section 61 of the Civil Registration Act, 2004 provides for a member of the public to make an application to an tArd-Chláraitheoir to search the indexes to the Births, Deaths and Marriages registers.

08/02/2026

Breaking news: 796 babies are not buried in a septic tank. Galway County Council deliberately built over the Children's Graveyard at the site of the former Tuam Mother and Baby home.

A major discovery at the former Tuam children’s home has finally driven a stake through one of the most corrosive falsehoods of modern Irish public life: the claim that 796 children were disposed of in a septic tank. This article links directly to primary source maps, planning documents, and offic...

31/10/2025

A Halloween scare. Ireland's self appointed witch hunters

The Matthew Hopkins Award For Outstanding Excellence in Invented Outrage and Historical Character Assassination Presented to: Liam Neeson and Catherine Corless. All Hallows Eve 2025, by the Witchfinder General Memorial Committee, in recognition of tireless efforts to chase phantoms and slander the v...

12/10/2025

Irish history is in crisis. Evidence is no longer required, outrage will do.

by Eugene Jordan

13/08/2025

Get your tickets for the highlight of Heritage Week! This year we are off the Killaloe the site of Kincora, the HQ of Brian Boru and Boruma Fort. Then it is on to Tuamgreany and the Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience. Bus from Moycullen and Galway.

Walk in the Footsteps of Kings, Saints, and Scholars. One-Day Bus Tour | West Clare & Lough Derg - From Moycullen and Galway City

18/03/2024

Something to do for every Tuesday evening in April!

Coming up in Galway! To celebrate the 800th anniversary of the arrival of Dominicans in Ireland, the Dominican sisters and friars of Galway have organised a series of talks on various aspects of the Dominican story in the West of Ireland. Do come along if you're in the area, and spread the word among your friends!

St. Mary's Church, the Claddagh, Galway Galway Archaeological and Historical Society Galway Civic Trust / Dúchas na Gaillimhe Galway Heritage and History Galway City Museum Ireland

12/03/2024

The Claddagh in Galway City is an iconic neighbourhood, rich in history. For many centuries it was home to a large fishing community, whose story is intimate...

26/08/2023

22/04/2023

Bet ya never knew that Breathnach Quay (marina section) on Galway Docks is named after this man.

https://galwaycitymuseum.ie/blog/the-killing-of-michael-walsh-19-october-1920/?locale=en&fbclid=IwAR1xKawXiLpqSPqep3kbHdKTi9B5VigTx1MdmNKyByp6Letnckrwl8vLP-E

On the evening of 19 October 1920, one hundred years ago today, Michael Walsh – an urban councillor and proprietor of the Old Malt House at High Street, Galway – … The Killing of Michael Walsh, 19 October 1920 Read More »

15/03/2023

12/03/2023

• We need to talk about St. Patrick•

"Almost everything anyone knows about St. Patrick is wrong'' according to Daibhi O'Croinin, retired Professor of History from the University of Galway, pictured here in front of the statue of Patrick in our Irish room.

Please join Daibhi on Thursday next 16th March at 6pm in the shop for an expert examination of the primary sources and an absolutely truthful and accurate account of our national Saint.

All are welcome to this fascinating evening of myth-bursting and truth-telling about the most famous Irish person who ever lived ! ☘️