could suggest or wealth command, it was universally acknowledged to be the most perfect city in the kingdom: while its rich inhabitants stood conspicuously distinguished for their commercial pursuits, public zeal, and high independance of spirit, all which will be found exemplified, in the most satisfactory manner, throughout the following pages.

But these facts, however well authenticated, must appear extraordinary to those now acquainted with the town, and when contrasted with its present very different state and appearance, it would not be at all surprising if they should be

11. Ball's bridge, called Drehad Miall. 11. Ball's bridge river.

12. Castle jordan, called Meil Costain

15. The middle suburbs, Balle Meanagh.

14. Giant's hill, called Cnuckain na Kgehim.

15. The whirlpool river, with the whirlpool, called Poultuofil

16. Island altagneach, now the island of Saint Clara. 17. The house of the nuns of St. Clara.

18. The other island altagneach, formerly called goat

island.

19. A causeway or passage between the two islands, with the fishing place.

20. The river of Galway, formerly the river Ausoba, now called Pollin Mor.

21. The great cataracts, where salmon are taken up, called Inchora mor.

22. The little cataracts, called Cora na b'maraher, where
Eels are taken.

23. Stag island, alias Illain an fhia.
23. Thady's island, called Inis Teig.

24. The rock, where the woman Galva is said to have
been drowned, from which the city of Galway was
named.

25. A bathing place, where boys swim, called Srugh millin Shemis khigh.

26. The big bridge, being the only passage from the west to the city here also salmon are killed with a

pronounced as altogether incredible. The lofty walls, castles, edifices and towers, once its pride and ornament, are long since crumbled into dust, the much boasted spirit of enterprize and independence of its former inhabitants, lie dead or dormant in their descendants, and nothing now remains to mark their former grandeur, but the spacious ruins and remnants of a few splendid mansions, which serve but to keep alive the melancholy remembrance of what their founders once had been. The causes of these revolutions and decay will be more properly explained in another place, the reader will therefore, for the present, have to return to an earlier era, in order to trace the gradual progress of the town, from its commencement, to the period and state in which it has been already displayed; and to follow it from thence, through all its various vicissitudes and changes, to the present day.

31. Several mills, viz. St. Francis' mill. 34. St. Michael's mill. 35. The bridge mill. 35. The little gate mill.

32. The Friar's stream, by which wood, &c. was formerly brought to the abbey, called Srucainna b'mraher. 33. The abbey of Saint Francis, or of the Friars' minors. 34. The abbey church yard.

55. The gate of the inner inclosure of the abbey, and the dormitory.

36. The refectory, called Halla na b'mraher.

37. Several gardens laid out by the friars.

38. The wood strand or quay, and a cross or water mark,

1

1

CHAP. II.

FROM THE EARLIEST ACCOUNTS TO THE INVASION OF HENRY II.

Early History and Antiquities of Ireland disputed-Intemperate feelings of writers on the subject-Come but little within the scope of this work-The ancient town of Galway made a chief point of division in the various partitions of Ireland-In that by Heber and Heremon-By Eogan More and Con-céad-Chathach in the second century-War between these princes, for an equal dividend of the revenues of Dublin and Galway-The latter then a place of note-Destruction of Irish records -Accounts of Ireland by Tacitus and Ptolemy-Those of the latter doubtedOpinions of Camden, Ware, Baxter and others—That Galway was the Nagnata of Ptolemy-Its origin uncertain-Destruction of the Town by the Danes-Rebuilt by the Conacians-Ravaged by the Momonians-Burned, and again revived in 1170. THE early history and antiquities of Ireland have been subjects of doubt and controversy, for a longer time, and perhaps in a greater degree, than generally occurs of any other country; and, though it stands admitted, that, like those of most other nations, the origin and primitive state of this Island are considerably involved in darkness and fable, yet, it seems also agreed, that few countries have a higher claim to antiquity, or have advanced better proofs in support of that distinction, than this, the most westerly and secluded kingdom of Europe. However, on this latter point, as on many others connected with the subject, much has been said and written on both sides; writers stand in hostile array against each other, and throughout a discussion, wherein the spirit of calm investigation after truth should alone predominate, those angry disputants have generally indulged in the most acrimonious feelings, and not unfrequently in the most puerile reflections. Those who decried, as well as they who supported, the claim to antiquity, were, though from different causes, in this respect equally reprehensible. The former, in general unacquainted with the language, and consequently with the written memorials of the country, could not patiently brook the imputations of ignorance and misconception, which were most liberally bestowed on them by their antagonists; and therefore, after frequently supplying the place of knowledge by supposition, and of argument by angry declamation,

Spencer, who was never charged with partiality to the Irish, declared near 250 years ago, that they were the most ancient people he knew of in this end of the world;

and, to the same fact, numberless other foreign testimonies could be adduced, without at all resorting to our native historians, or to the ancient records of the kingdom.