This book that focuses exclusively on families of County Galway. Covering
Catholic and Protestant; native Irish; settler families from England, Scotland,
and Wales; County Map; Coats of Arms; and more. Information contained here-in
dates from the earliest times to the modern era.
The Master Volume in the Irish Families series is 'The Book of Irish Families
Great and Small'. It covers thousands of families from all of Ireland. 'Families
of County Galway' greatly expands upon the coverage given in that book and adds
several hundred new families. In this way both books compliment each other.
An outline of the history of the county as it relates to Irish families, and to
Irish research, is included, along with an exhaustive enumeration of thousands
of Galway families, sure to help any family researcher.
This is the story and history of families in Co. Galway, including but not at
all limited to, the so-called '14 tribes of Galway'. Family information from
Hardimans 'History of Galway' and 'Blake Family Records' and many other sources
is included. Ancient Galway families are included. Rare families found in Galway
are given in this historic work too, some are found only once in the County
Galway archives. Settler families from England, Scotland and the continent who
subsequently arrive in Co. Galway are included.
The following is taken from the introduction to this work, setting the stage for
the many family history notes to follow:
"Our story begins essentially after the Norman invasion of Ireland in the
12th century. This was a time of great upheaval and change in Ireland. There
was no immediate impact on the people of Galway in the year of the invasion.
In fact, it took some time before foreign troops set foot on Galway soil. In
1171 Strongbow landed at Waterford. It was not until the year 1178 that the
English first set 'hostile foot in Connaught'. That incursion was successfully
reupulsed however. The town of Galway had been rebuilt, and it was
increasingly necessary to control Galway town in order to rule the province of
Connaught. Centuries of conflict erupted as a result. The town of Galway would
often stand against the rest of the County. Once the conflict began, the
'ferocious O'Flahertys' (chiefs before the arrival of the Normans), the Norman
DeBurgos and Berminghams, the ruling O'Connors and O'Kellys, and the O'Briens
of Clare would enter the fray. These are a few of the well known leading
families that would be intertwined in battle. In the battles involving Galway,
there were strange, shifting alliances. At times the leading Galway Irish
families would ally themselves with the O'Briens of Clare in order to defend
themselves from the ruling O'Connors of Connaught to their east. Sometimes the
alliance was exactly the opposite! As the old Gaelic families began to be
replaced, De Burgo (Burke) came to shelter and protect the crowded town of
Galway."
When needed, sources are given for further research on your family. Family
castles, dates of occupation and locations are given. Ordinary Galway people,
from the 17th to the 19th century are included as well.
Among the many Galway families with major entries in this book are: Athy;
Birmingham Bermingham; Blake; Bodkin; Browne; Burke; Cahill; Callanan; O'
Colahan; Concannon; Conroy; O' Daly; Darcy; Deane; O Donnellan; O Flaherty;
Font; French; O Halloran; O Hynes Hines; Joyce; O Kelly; Kenny Kenney; Kirwan;
Lally; Lynch; O' Madden; Mannion; Martin; Morris; Naughton; O'Shaughnessy;
Skerrett ... etc., there are hundreds of more names to list here but there is
not enough time!
The parish is one of the most important geographical divisions in Ireland. The
following parishes are found within the County Galway : Abbeygormacan,
Abbeyknockmoy, Addergoole, Ahascragh, Annaghdown, Ardrahan, Athenry, Athleague,
Aughrim, Ballindoon, Ballymacward, Ballynacourty, Ballynakill, Beagh, Belclare,
Boyounagh, Bullaun, Cargin, Claregalway, Clonbern, Clonfert, Clonkeen,
Clontuskert, Cong, Cummer, Donagh Patrick, Donanaghta, Drumacoo, Drumatemple,
Duniry, Dunmore, Fahy, Fohanagh, Grange, Inishbofin, Inisheer, Inishmaan,
Inishmore, Isertkelly, Kilbeacanty, Kilbegnet, Kilbennan, Kilchreest, Kilcloony,
Kilcolgan, Kilconickny, Kilconierin, Kilconla, Kilconnell, Kilcooly, Kilcoona,
Kilcroan, Kilcummin, Kilgerrill, Kilkerrin, Kilkilvery, Killaan, Killallaghten,
Killannin, Killeany, Killeely, Killeenadeema, Killeenavarra, Killeenen,
Killererin, Killeroran, Killian, Killimorbologue, Killimordaly, Killinan,
Killinny, Killogileen, Killora, Killoran, Killoscobe, Killosolan, Killower,
Killursa, Kilmacduagh, Kilmalinoge, Kilmeen, Kilmoylan, Kilquain, Kilreekil,
Kiltartan, Kilteskil, Kilthomas, Kiltormer, Kiltullagh, Kinvarradoorus, Lackagh,
Leitrim, Lickerrig, Lickmolassy, Liskeevy, Loughrea, Meelick, Monivea, Moycullen,
Moylough, Moyrus, Omey, Oranmore, Rahoon, Ross, St. Nicholas, Stradbally,
Taghboy, Templetogher, Tiranascragh, Tuam, and Tynagh. Please remember that
place names and spellings have changed over time, so keep an eye out for minor
changes in spelling when researching in Galway.
With well over 2000 families of Galway listed, this is a one of a kind book.
Hardbound for lasting use, it is a must have for anyone with family in Galway.
Contents:
List of Books
Barony Map of County Galway
Ortelius Map of Galway 1576
Armorial Bearings of Galway
Arms of Galway 'Tribes'
Early Families
Ancient Tribal Names
From Keatings History
Wild Geese
Viking and Norman Invasions.
Galway Town 1610 AD.
Chieftains and Territories
Claddagh
Geography
Passenger List.
Galway Names, Ships
Tracing Galway Roots: Spellings, Sources, Address List
Families of County Galway, Ireland
Appendixes
- Galway Surnames
- Map of Ancient Territories
- Galway Placenames
- Those Who Signed the Terms of Surrender
- City of Galway Census
- Blake Wills
- List of Officials of Galway
- Galway Sketches
Index of Family Names Found in Text
