The temperamental sky showed off it's versatile side today, alternating between a moody sulk and a spring haze. Here are two structures associated with the Fourteen Merchant Tribes' Townhouses.
The Brown Townhouse Doorway, Eyre Square
This is Browne's Doorway, a 16th century townhouse entrance, bearing the coats of arms of both the Browne and Lynch families. Salvaged from the Browne's collapsed mansion house on Abbeygate Street, it was moved here in 1627 by the Galway Archelogical and Historical Society.
Inscribed on a stone panel up above the arched entrance, are the words:
"Part of the house built in the year of our Lord 1627 for Martin Browne, merchant, was removed form ruins in Lower Abbeygate Street and was erected here in 1905, to witness the architectural character of the great houses that were built in the days of Galway's civic opulence".
Prone to vandalism- like every phone box and public toilet in the vicinity, a protective glass barrier keeps the doorway from harm, yet sadly hinders photo opportunities.
Blake's Tower, Quay Street
This was originally the Blake family's Townhouse. Simultaneously it also served as the county jail, from 1586 to 1810, until the inmates were relocated to a new custom built clink.
It is believed that Walter Lynch was held prisoner here, prior to his execution.
Today, it houses the undoubtedly delicious KC Blakes restaurant, with criminal prices. Is this history repeating itself?
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