County Galway

I

Introduction

County Galway, county in the province of Connaught, Republic of Ireland, bounded by Mayo and Roscommon to the north, Roscommon, Offaly, and Tipperary to the east, the river Shannon, Lough Derg, Clare, and Galway Bay to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It has a land area of 5,940 sq km (2,293 sq mi) and is the second largest county in Ireland. From north to south it measures 80 km (50 mi) and east to west 150 km (93 mi). Much visited by tourists for the wild beauty of its coast, islands, and the mountains of Connemara.

II

Land and Resources

Much of Galway is comparatively flat and boggy, with Carboniferous limestone covered in peat. To the west of Lough Corrib, which divides the region in two, are rugged heathlands and bog. The Maumtuck Mountains rise to 701 m (2,230 ft) and the Twelve Pins to 728 m (2,389 ft). In the south-west the Slieve Aughty Mountains rise to 368 m (1,207 ft) and are composed of sandstone.

Connemara lies to the west; known for its ponies (see Connemara) and the beauty of its landscape, which the Irish painter Paul Henry made famous. Farms are small and living conditions harsh. The coastline is deeply indented, and many islands, 19 of which are inhabited, lie offshore. The principal rivers are the Clare, the Suck, and the Shannon.

The climate is mild, average January temperature on the coast is 6° C (43° F) and inland about 4.5° C (40° F). The July average temperature is 15° C (59° F). The average rainfall varies according to altitude and position. On the western mountains it is 2,000 mm (78 in) and in the east 1,000 mm (39 in).

III

Population and Administration

Galway has an estimated population of 423,031 (1991), an increase of 1 per cent since the 1986 census. The population of the county borough increased by 8 per cent, while that of the offshore islands dropped by almost 3 per cent. The majority of the population, 96 per cent, is Roman Catholic.

Though most people speak English (the official second language) others speak Irish (see Celtic Languages). Irish speakers are mainly found in the west of Galway and on the Aran Islands, the largest such grouping in all Ireland. The city of Galway has a high proportion of townspeople whose first language is Irish. The University College conducts some courses in Irish and there is an Irish theatre.

Galway is the administrative seat of local government in the county, and of the county borough. There are town councils (formerly known as urban district councils) at Ballinasloe, Tuam, and Loughrea. The High Court of Ireland, although based in Dublin, convenes in Galway four times a year.

IV

Education and Culture

Galway is the site of University College (1845), part of the National University of Ireland (NUI). The Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology was established in 1972 and has campuses at Galway, Letterfrack, and Cluain Mhuire. St Jarlath’s College (founded in 1800) is a Roman Catholic boys’ independent school in Tuam.

The county is rich in cultural and literary associations. Irish Renaissance playwright Lady Isabella Augusta Gregory was born in Roxborough; leading 20th-century novelist Liam O’Flaherty was born in the Aran Islands; and Anglo-Irish politician and author John Croker was born in the city of Galway. Explorer Robert O’Hara Burke was born and educated in St Cleram, before emigrating to Australia, where he led the first exhibition to cross the continent from south to north in 1860-1861.

The Galway Arts Festival is held each July followed by the Galway Races in late July or early August: this is one of Ireland’s major horse-racing events and attracts thousands of visitors. The annual Clarinbridge Oyster Festival, first held in September 1954, celebrates the beginning of the oyster season.