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Located in the mid-west of Ireland, Galway is the third city of the Republic of Ireland after Dublin and Cork. The site of modern Galway was first settled in 1124 when the King of Connacht, Tairrdelbach mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair, built a fort there. A small settlement soon grew up around the fort, but it was not until the Norman invasion in the 1230s that the city began to grow in size and prominence.
Galway rapidly became a booming commercial town, with the merchant class forming the political elite. Indeed, throughout the middle ages the city was ruled by an oligarchy of 14 merchant families, 12 of whom were of Hiberno-Norman descent, while the remaining two were of native Irish origin. The city continued to flourish throughout the Medieval period, becoming the primary Irish port for trade with France and Spain. It also remained largely loyal to the English Crown throughout the period of the Gaelic resurgence. However, this loyalty did not endure into the Stuart period, being captured by Cromwellian forces in 1651 and by the armies of King William III in 1691, for which Galway paid a heavy price. The city went into a long period of economic and political decline, from which it only recovered during the great economic boom in the late 20 th century. But while Galway may have suffered severe political and economic consequences as a result of its opposition to English and Protestant rule, the city has developed a unique social heritage as a result.
Today Galway is often referred to as the ‘Bilingual Capital of Ireland’ thanks to the local strength of the Irish language, music, song and dancing traditions. Most signs are written in both English and Irish, with Gaelic continuing to be spoken by many locals to this day. As a result, Irish theatre, music and TV remains an integral part of Galway life, attracting a young, professional Irish speaking people to the city and ensuring it retains the social vibrancy that has made it the third city of Ireland.
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