Overview

A comprehensive guide to tracing families in the City and County of Galway, including the towns of Ballinasloe, Portumna, Athenry and Loughrea. Galway is home to a diverse population whose culture and history has been shaped by the barren landscapes of its Western seaboard, or the rich farmlands at its Eastern end. In the centre is the historic city of Galway, an ancient trading port and home to the 14 'Tribes' whose story is central to that of the county.

The Tribes of Galway

These were Athy, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, Darcy, Deane, Font, French, Joyce, Kirwan, Lynch, Martin, Morris and Skerrett. Native families include the O'Flahertys and O'Hallorans, O'Kelly, O'Shaughnessy, Hynes, Lally, O'Fahy, Madden, O'Daly, Donnellan, Egan, Ward, Divilly, Duggan, Conneely, Conroy and Forde.

Later Arrivals and Records

Norman and other later arrivals include Burke or Bourke, Bermingham, Eyre, St. George, Hackett, Blakeney, Trenche and Persse. Genealogical records are diverse, varying from sparse in the Western areas to extensive for Galway city. This book sets out the records available to the family history researcher, where they can be obtained and how to use each to best effect.