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late collector of Galway, whose exertions to promote this great source of national wealth are deserving of the highest praise.

4. Sun-fish, Cod and Turbot Fishery.

Next to the herring fishery, that of the sun-fish or basking-shark (with which the western coast of Ireland abounds,) beginning in March and ending in June, is the most important, and, if cultivated with sufficient industry and skill, would prove highly valuable. This fish is of the cartilaginous class, and affords a considerable quantity of oil, which is much sought, after, and is little inferior in quality to that of the whale itself. The oil of a single fish may be worth from 201. to 301. sterling. But notwithstanding almost every farmer in Conamara, residing contiguous to the shore, annually employs one or two boats, yet for want of the true method of spearing or harpooning, &c. this fishery is not at all so productive as it would certainly be, if properly prosecuted. The cod and turbot fishery also deserve particular notice the former, it is said, extends from Claggan-bay quite across the Atlantic Ocean to Newfoundland. The valuable turbot-bank lately discovered has made this excellent fish generally very cheap and plenty in the town: it is brought in great quantities to several parts of the country, and frequently supplies the Dublin markets. Lobsters are also to be had in great abundance, generally from the county of Clare side of the bay; and the finest kind often sell, during the season, so low as from 4 to 5s. a dozen. There are some extensive oyster-banks, near the town, but they are now almost exhausted by continual drudging. One of these belongs to the corporation; and if it and the others were occasionally replenished with a few boat-loads of young oysters from the neighbouring coast, this favourite shell-fish would soon become large and plenty. There are, however, some fine banks on the shores of the county of Clare, the oysters of which, particularly those of Pouldudy, Burren and Kinvarra, are large and delicious. Very few places are better supplied with every species of fish than Galway, which, with other local advantages, render it one of the cheapest towns in the kingdom.

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V. PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
1. Bridges.

Having before (p. 250) described our principal public building, the church, the west bridge, from its antiquity, now claims attention. This bridge which until lately, was the only passage to the peninsulated districts of Iar-Connaught, was built in 1342, somewhat more than a century after Thomond-bridge at Limerick; and it has, like that venerable structure, withstood the current of an equally or perhaps more rapid river, for a period of nearly five hundred years. In 1558, a gate and tower were erected at the west end by Thomas Martin.-(Vide p. 85.) A similar gate and tower were afterwards raised in the

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centre, which, with those that joined the town walls, may be seen in the engraving of the map of 1651, but these bulwarks have been all long since entirely demolished. About the beginning of the present century this bridge was thoroughly repaired on the north side, and, in the opinion of the architects, is now sufficiently strong to withstand, for another long series of years, the impetuous current which incessantly rushes through its arches.

On Monday, 29th June, 1818, the first stone of the new bridge leading from the county court-house to the gaol, was laid by the Hon. William Le Poer Trench, and the building was entirely finished in October, 1819. It is a light and handsome structure, combining strength and beauty, and is no inconsiderable ornament to the town.

2. Barracks.

The first regular troops were quartered in Galway in the year 1579, and a house was hired for their reception, the rent of which was paid by queen Elizabeth.-(Vide p. 91.) In 1603 the mayor lodged the soldiers, sent in by the governor of the fort, "in some of the strongest castles of the city." After this period the military were quartered in the upper and lower citadels, and in 1715 they occupied the convents after the dispersion of the nuns. The oppressive practice of billetting was severely felt for many years, particularly by the Catholic inhabitants. At length the castle, or upper citadel barrack, near William's gate, was built in 1734, for three companies on the old regulation. This is a neat and convenient building, and lies in a retired and healthy situation. The shamble barrack was erected in 1749, for ten companies, on the site of the lower citadel near the west bridge: it is a handsome and regular structure, and is conveniently situated near the bridge and river. The Lombard-street barrack was also built in 1749, for five companies, on forfeited ground, in an open and airy situation. Besides these edifices, the old charterschool (now a convent) was converted into an artillery barrack in the year 1798, and several private houses throughout the town were occasionally, during the late war, occupied by troops. It may here be added, that the town has been generally esteemed "good quarters" by the military, and that very few instances of disagreement have occurred between them and the inhabitants.

3. Exchange or Tholsel.

This edifice stands at the extremity of Shop-street, near St. Nicholas' church. The foundation was laid, and the building proceeded on, during the civil wars of 1641, (Vide p. 103, note, where it is inadvertently stated to have been finished in 1646,) but was interrupted by the troubles, and may be seen in an unfinished state on the old map, at the S. E. corner of the church. Thus it remained until the beginning of the reign of queen Anne, when it was rebuilt in its present

form, and was at that time esteemed highly ornamental to the town. It might even still be considered so, if placed in any other situation; but projecting as it does into a street already too narrow, which is thereby rendered more inconvenient, it would be a matter of public benefit if this building were entirely taken down; a handsome range of shops might be raised in its place, and another tholsel erected in a more suitable situation. However, as it stands, it is not undeserving of attention. It is a lofty edifice, of what may be called two stories in height, supported by eight extensive arches, six in front and one at each end, rising from lofty square pillars of hewn marble. The under compartment, which is upwards of ninety feet long, and twenty-eight broad, being covered over and flagged, and the inner wall lined with seats, is much frequented by the inhabitants as a place for walking and conversation. A large door in the centre leads by a flight of stairs to the upper compartment, which is exclusively appropriated to judicial purposes and public meetings. The townhall is fitted up with a bench, jury-boxes, seats and accommodations for the gentlemen of the law, and a dock for prisoners, &c. Here the judges hold the assizes for the town, and the mayor and recorder transact their civil and criminal business. The town records are kept in a small room on the right of the passage ascending. The grand jury-room which fronts the street, is spacious and convenient. On the right of the entrance to the hall a small flight of steps leads to the petty jury-room, and a gallery which commands a view of the bar and bench. Hence a narrow stairs led to a handsome and lofty dome or cupola, which formerly sprung from the centre of the roof, but doubts having arisen as to the safety of this dome, it was taken down since the commencement of the present century. Similar apprehensions are now entertained for the flooring of the townhall, and particularly when crowds assemble during the assizes meetings; the judges are sometimes obliged to prohibit the indiscriminate entrance of the populace. Although it has been pronounced sufficiently secure, yet doubts of this kind, when once excited, can seldom be removed: this might therefore be an additional reason for erecting a new tholsel on a modern plan, in some more convenient part of the town.

Before this period the merchants of the town were accustomed to assemble about their commercial concerns on the tesselated pavement, formerly called the exchange, which may be observed on the old map, near the shipping, at the quay.

The upper part of the present building was appropriated to meetings of a corporate and legal description, and the under part to those of a mercantile nature. During the rigor of the penal laws it is said, that no Catholic durst enter here with his hat on, but should remain uncovered, as a mark of subjection to his Protestant towns-men, and there are old people still living who assert that a Catholic clergyman durst not at all enter the exchange. The times have, however, since changed;

and the present members of the corporation are amongst the foremost in declaring for the general emancipation of their Catholic fellow-subjects.

This dome or cupola, which was the principal ornament of the exchange, commanded a fine prospect of the town and bay. Its form was hexagonal, with a large window on each side; and these windows when illuminated, as they frequently were on public occasions, had a beautiful effect. The interior was fitted up with seats, a dining-table and other conveniences, and was frequently the scene of many a festive meeting of the former members of the corporation. The whole was covered with an arched roof, whence arose a spire which appeared to much advantage in a distant view of the town.

4. County Court House.

This fine building, which is superior to most provincial seats of justice in Ireland, stands at Newtow-Smith, on the site of the ancient and venerable abbey of the Franciscans, which by the charter of Charles II. " is to be and remain part of the county of Galway for ever." It was commenced in 1812, and on 1st April, 1815, was opened for the reception of the then going judges of assize, justices Fletcher and Osborne, who pronounced a handsome and well-merited eulogium on the gentlemen of the county, for so unequivocal and splendid a testimonial of their high respect for the laws, and of their anxiety for the due and orderly administration of public justice. Besides two spacious and wellappointed courts for transacting the civil and criminal business, with grand and petty-jury rooms adjoining, there are several commodious offices and apartments for the high-sheriff, treasurer, clerk of the peace, and other law officers. The splendid and accurate map and survey of the county, together with the several baronial maps made by order of the grand jury, are preserved here. The lofty portico, entrance, and extensive hall of this fine structure, will immediately attract attention. It is altogether an edifice highly creditable to the county, and considerably ornamental to the town.

5. Town Gaol.

From a very early period, the arm of justice was strengthened by the aid of a public prison in Galway. The charter of Elizabeth, in 1578, granted full power to the corporation to have for ever a gaol within the town, and a keeper of the same, and to commit to, and imprison therein, prisoners for whatever cause or crime they should be taken, attached or arrested. The original prison was a small apartment under the tholsel; but vice keeping equal pace with the progress of population, a more spacious prison, in process of time, became necessary. Accordingly, a situation near the centre of the town, at the place afterwards called the main guard, was chosen for its site; and in its construction, like that of all other old prisons, more attention was paid to the security of the inmates than to their health or convenience. The celebrated philanthropist, Mr. Howard, visited this prison in April, 1788, and described it as follows:"Galway city and county gaol, in a close part of the city, has no court, no water. Gaoler's salary 201. Debtors 7. Felons, &c. 12."-In this state it remained for many years after, until it became totally inadequate to answer the ends of public justice. In addition to its being ill-constructed, inconvenient, and the accommodations of the most wretched description, it nearly blocked up one of

By letters patent dated 16th March, 1603, Cormocke Mc Dermot and Henry his son were appointed keepers of the gaol of Galway during their lives, in reversion, after the death of John Williams, who then held same for

the term of his life.-Rot. Pat. 2 Jac. 1.-This appointment appears somewhat inconsistent with the previous grant to the corporation, contained in the charter of queen Elizabeth.-Vide Appendix, Number III.

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