County Galway is a county

Counties of Ireland

The counties of Ireland are sub-national divisions used for the purposes of geographic demarcation and local government. Closely related to the county is the County corporate which covered towns or cities which were deemed to be important enough to be independent from their counties. A county...

 in Ireland

Republic of Ireland

Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...

. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province

Provinces of Ireland

Ireland has historically been divided into four provinces: Leinster, Ulster, Munster and Connacht. The Irish word for this territorial division, cúige, literally meaning "fifth part", indicates that there were once five; the fifth province, Meath, was incorporated into Leinster, with parts going to...

 of Connacht

Connacht

Connacht , formerly anglicised as Connaught, is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the west of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for...

. It is named after the city of Galway

Galway

Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...

. Galway County Council

Galway County Council

Galway County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Galway in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The county seat is at Galway County Hall in Galway...

 is the local authority

Local government in the Republic of Ireland

Local government functions in the Republic of Ireland are mostly exercised by thirty-four local authorities, termed county or city councils, which cover the entire territory of the state. The area under the jurisdiction of each of these authorities corresponds to the area of each of the 34 LAU I...

 for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas

Gaeltacht

is the Irish language word meaning an Irish-speaking region. In Ireland, the Gaeltacht, or an Ghaeltacht, refers individually to any, or collectively to all, of the districts where the government recognises that the Irish language is the predominant language, that is, the vernacular spoken at home...

 in the west of the county. The population of the county is 250,541 according to the 2011 census.

History

The first inhabitants in the Galway area arrived over 7000 years ago

5th millennium BC

The 5th millennium BC saw the spread of agriculture from the Near East throughout southern and central Europe.Urban cultures in Mesopotamia and Anatolia flourished, developing the wheel. Copper ornaments became more common, marking the Chalcolithic. Animal husbandry spread throughout Eurasia,...

. Shell midden

Midden

A midden, is an old dump for domestic waste which may consist of animal bone, human excrement, botanical material, vermin, shells, sherds, lithics , and other artifacts and ecofacts associated with past human occupation...

s tell us about the existence of people as early as 5000 BC.

The county originally comprised several kingdoms and territories which predate the formation of the county. They included Aidhne

Aidhne

Aidhne also known as, Uí Fhiachrach Aidhne, Maigh Aidhne / Maigh nAidhne was the territory of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne, a tuath located in the south of what is now County Galway in the south of Connacht, Ireland. Aidhne is coextensive with the present diocese of Kilmacduagh...

, Uí Maine, Maigh Seóla

Maigh Seola

Maigh Seola was a term used to describe the land along the east shore of Lough Corrib in County Galway, Ireland. It was bounded by the Uí Maine vassal kingdom of Soghain. Its rulers up to the 1220s were the Muintir Murchada, who took the surname O'Flaherty...

, Conmhaícne Mara, Soghain

Soghain

The Soghain were a people of ancient Ireland. Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh identified them as part of a larger group called the Cruithin, and stated of them:...

 and Máenmaige

Máenmaige

Máenmaige was a originally a kingdom, later termed a trícha cét, and in Anglo-Norman times a cantred, which formed the barony of Loughrea.-Early historic rulers:It was first under the control of Ui Fhiachrach Fionn, and later by the Uí Maine...

. County Galway came into official existence c. 1569.

A number of inhabited islands are administered by the county; they include Oileáin Árann (Aran Islands

Aran Islands

The Aran Islands or The Arans are a group of three islands located at the mouth of Galway Bay, on the west coast of Ireland. They constitute the barony of Aran in County Galway, Ireland...

) and Inis Bó Fine (Inishbofin).

With the arrival of Christianity

Christianity

Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...

 many monasteries

Monastery

Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...

 were built, and written records of events in the area and of its people were kept. These were followed by a number of law-tracts, genealogies, annals and miscellaneous accounts. Extant manuscripts containing references to Galway include:

Crichaireacht cinedach nduchasa Muintiri Murchada Crichaireacht cinedach nduchasa Muintiri Murchada Crichaireacht cinedach nduchasa Muintiri Murchada is a tract concerning the medieval territory called Muintir Murchada, located in County Galway, Ireland.-Outline:... Annals of Lough Cé Annals of Lough Cé The Annals of Loch Cé cover events, mainly in Connacht and its neighbouring regions, from 1014 to 1590. It takes its name from Lough Cé in the kingdom of Moylurg - now north County Roscommon - which was the centre of power of the Clan MacDermot... Annals of Connacht Annals of Connacht The Annals of Connacht, covering the years 1224 to 1544, are drawn from a manuscript compiled in the 15th and 16th centuries by at least three scribes, all believed to be members of the Clan Ó Duibhgeannáin.... Triallam timcheall na Fodla Triallam timcheall na Fodla Triallam timcheall na Fodla, medieval Irish topographical text.-Overview:Composed by Seán Mór Ó Dubhagáin, Triallam consists of twenty verses divided into four lines. The full poem is nine hundred and sixteen lines in length... Leabhar Adhamh Ó Cianáin Leabhar Adhamh Ó Cianáin Leabhar Adhamh Ó Cianáin or The Book of Adhamh Ó Cianáin, now G 2-3 NLI , is a book written in or about the 1340s by Adhamh Ó Cianáin by and for himself, and out of the book of his teacher, Seán Mór Ó Dubhagáin.... Leabhar Ua Maine Leabhar Ua Maine Leabhar Ua Maine is an Irish genealogical compilation, created c... Corporation Book of Galway The Book of the Burkes The Book of the Burkes The Book of the Burkes, illuminated Gaelic manuscript, late 16th century.A lavishly illuminated 16th century volume of seventy-five folios, twenty-two of which remain blank. It was made for Sir Seaán mac Oliver Burke, the McWilliam of Mayo. Sir Seaán was the McWilliam from 1571 to 1580, the book... Annals of the Four Masters Annals of the Four Masters The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland or the Annals of the Four Masters are a chronicle of medieval Irish history...

Leabhar na nGenealach Leabhar na nGenealach Leabhar na nGenealach is a massive genealogical collection written mainly in the years 1649 to 1650, at the college-house of St. Nicholas's church, Galway, by Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh. He continued to add material until at least 1666, five years before he was murdered in 1671... Cuimre na nGenealach Cuimre na nGenealach Cuimre na nGenealach is an abridgment of Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh's Leabhar na nGenealach, written at his home in County Sligo in the spring and summer of 1666.-Origins and background:... Obituary Book of the Franciscan monastery at Galway Annals of the Poor Clares Dominican Annal of Athenry Ogygia Ogygia Ogygia , is an island mentioned in Homer's Odyssey, Book V, as the home of the nymph Calypso, the daughter of the Titan Atlas, also known as Atlantis in ancient Greek. In Homer's Odyssey Calypso detained Odysseus on Ogygia for 7 years and kept him from returning to his home of Ithaca, wanting to... West or Iar-Connacht The Lynch Manuscript

Irish language

Nearly 20% of the population of County Galway live in the Gaeltacht. County Galway is home to the largest Gaeltacht

Gaeltacht

is the Irish language word meaning an Irish-speaking region. In Ireland, the Gaeltacht, or an Ghaeltacht, refers individually to any, or collectively to all, of the districts where the government recognises that the Irish language is the predominant language, that is, the vernacular spoken at home...

 Irish-speaking region in Ireland. There are over 45,052 people living within this region which extends from Galway city westwards through Connemara

Connemara

Connemara is a district in the west of Ireland consisting of a broad peninsula between Killary Harbour and Kilkieran Bay in the west of County Galway.-Overview:...

. All schools within the Gaeltacht use Irish language as the medium of instruction. There is also a third-level constituent college of NUIG called Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge

Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge

Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge was established under the auspices of the National University of Ireland, Galway in 2004, to develop Gaelic-medium education...

 in Carraroe

Carraroe

An Cheathrú Rua is a village in County Galway, Ireland. The village is within the Irish-speaking region of Connemara, and is famous for its traditional fishing boats known as Galway Hookers. Its population is widely dispersed over Carraroe peninsula between Greatman's Bay and Casla Bay...

 and Carna. Spiddal

Spiddal

Spiddal is a village on the shore of Galway Bay in County Galway in Ireland. It is west of Galway city on the R336 road. Spiddal is on the eastern side of the county's Gaeltacht near Connemara, and is a tourist centre with a scenic beach, harbour, and shore fishing.-The village:The Mac...

 is the largest town in the region. Galway city is also home to Ireland's only Irish language theatre Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe

Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe

Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe or An Taibhdhearc , abbreviated TnaG, is the national Irish language theatre of Ireland. It was founded in 1928....

. There is a strong Irish language media presence in this area too, which boasts the radio station Raidió na Gaeltachta and Foinse

Foinse

-History:Foinse was first published in October 1996 as a weekly Saturday newspaper. It was published in Carraroe, County Galway and printed in Tralee. It was first published in October 1996....

 newspaper in Carraroe

Carraroe

An Cheathrú Rua is a village in County Galway, Ireland. The village is within the Irish-speaking region of Connemara, and is famous for its traditional fishing boats known as Galway Hookers. Its population is widely dispersed over Carraroe peninsula between Greatman's Bay and Casla Bay...

 and national TV station TG4

TG4

TG4 is a public service broadcaster for Irish language speakers. The channel has been on-air since 31 October 1996 in the Republic of Ireland and since April 2005 in Northern Ireland....

 in Baile na hAbhann

Baile na hAbhann

Baile na hAbhann is a Gaeltacht village and townland about 31 km west of Galway, Ireland, on the R336 regional road between Indreabhán and Casla. The name means "river settlement"....

. The Aran Islands

Aran Islands

The Aran Islands or The Arans are a group of three islands located at the mouth of Galway Bay, on the west coast of Ireland. They constitute the barony of Aran in County Galway, Ireland...

 are also part of the Galway Gaeltacht.

Local government and politics

The area of the county is now covered by two local administrative authorities: Galway County Council

Galway County Council

Galway County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Galway in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The county seat is at Galway County Hall in Galway...

 and Galway City Council

Galway City Council

Galway City Council is the local authority for the city of Galway, Ireland. Previously Galway Corporation, it was founded in 1485 by The Tribes of Galway via a Charter of Mayoralty granted to the town in December 1484 by King Richard III. The first Mayor of Galway was Peirce Lynch...

. They rank equally as first level local administrative unit

Local administrative unit

Generally, a local administrative unit is a low level administrative division of a country, ranked below a province, region, or state. Not all countries describe their locally governed areas this way, but it can be descriptively applied anywhere to refer to counties, municipalities, etc.In the...

s of the NUTS 3 West Region

West Region, Ireland

The West Region is a NUTS Level III region of Ireland and is governed by the West Regional Authority. It consists of the area under the jurisdiction of the county councils of counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, along with Galway City Council. The West region spans 13,801 km², 20% of the total area...

 for Eurostat

Eurostat

Eurostat is a Directorate-General of the European Commission located in Luxembourg. Its main responsibilities are to provide the European Union with statistical information at European level and to promote the integration of statistical methods across the Member States of the European Union,...

 purposes. There are 34 LAU 1 entities in the Republic of Ireland. The remit of Galway County Council includes some suburbs of the city not within the remit of Limerick City Council. Both local authorities

Local government in the Republic of Ireland

Local government functions in the Republic of Ireland are mostly exercised by thirty-four local authorities, termed county or city councils, which cover the entire territory of the state. The area under the jurisdiction of each of these authorities corresponds to the area of each of the 34 LAU I...

 are responsible for certain local services

Public services

Public services is a term usually used to mean services provided by government to its citizens, either directly or by financing private provision of services. The term is associated with a social consensus that certain services should be available to all, regardless of income...

 such as sanitation

Sanitation

Sanitation is the hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with the hazards of wastes. Hazards can be either physical, microbiological, biological or chemical agents of disease. Wastes that can cause health problems are human and animal feces, solid wastes, domestic...

, planning

Planning

Planning in organizations and public policy is both the organizational process of creating and maintaining a plan; and the psychological process of thinking about the activities required to create a desired goal on some scale. As such, it is a fundamental property of intelligent behavior...

 and development

Real estate development

Real estate development, or Property Development, is a multifaceted business, encompassing activities that range from the renovation and re-lease of existing buildings to the purchase of raw land and the sale of improved land or parcels to others...

, libraries

Library

In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...

, the collection of motor

Automobile

An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...

 tax

Tax

To tax is to impose a financial charge or other levy upon a taxpayer by a state or the functional equivalent of a state such that failure to pay is punishable by law. Taxes are also imposed by many subnational entities...

ation, local road

Road

A road is a thoroughfare, route, or way on land between two places, which typically has been paved or otherwise improved to allow travel by some conveyance, including a horse, cart, or motor vehicle. Roads consist of one, or sometimes two, roadways each with one or more lanes and also any...

s and social housing.
The county is part of the North–West constituency for the purposes of European elections. For elections to Dáil Éireann

Dáil Éireann

Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...

, the county is divided into two constituencies: Galway East and and Galway West. Together they return 9 deputies (TDs

Teachta Dála

A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...

) to the Dáil.

Geography

County Galway is home to Lough Corrib

Lough Corrib

Lough Corrib is a lake in the west of Ireland. The River Corrib or Galway river connects the lake to the sea at Galway. It is the second largest lough in Ireland . It covers 178 km² and lies mostly in County Galway with a small area of its northeast corner in County Mayo.The first canal in...

 (the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland

Republic of Ireland

Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...

) the Na Beanna Beola (Twelve Bens

Twelve Bens

The Twelve Bens, or Twelve Pins , is a mountain range of sharp-peaked quartzite ranges located northeast of Roundstone in Connemara in the west of Ireland. Dedicated fell runners attempt to hike all twelve peaks in a single day...

) mountain range, Na Sléibhte Mhám Toirc (the Maum Turk mountains), and the low mountains of Sliabh Echtghe (Slieve Aughty). The highest point in the county is one of the Twelve Bens, Benbaun, at 729m.

Climate

The location of County Galway, situated on the west coast of Ireland, allows it to be directly influenced by the Gulf Stream

Gulf Stream

The Gulf Stream, together with its northern extension towards Europe, the North Atlantic Drift, is a powerful, warm, and swift Atlantic ocean current that originates at the tip of Florida, and follows the eastern coastlines of the United States and Newfoundland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean...

. Temperature extremes are rare and short lived, though inland areas, particularly east of the Corrib, can boast some of the highest recorded temperatures of the summer in the island of Ireland (sometimes exceeding 30 °C); though these temperatures only occur when land warmed east winds sweep the area; the opposite effect can occur in the winter. Overall, however, Galway is influenced mainly by Atlantic airstreams which bring ample rainfall in between the fleeting sunshine. Rainfall occurs in every month of the year, though the late autumn and winter months can be particularly wet as Atlantic cyclonic activity increases and passes over and around the area, and which is why Galway tends to bear the brunt of severe windstorms that can occur between August and March. The county on average receives about 1300mm of rainfall annually, though some areas along the west coast of the county can receive up to 1900mm and beyond. Extreme weather

Extreme weather

Extreme weather includes weather phenomena that are at the extremes of the historical distribution, especially severe or unseasonal weather. The most commonly used definition of extreme weather is based on an event's climatological distribution. Extreme weather occurs only 5% or less of the time...

 such as blizzards, thunderstorms, flashflooding and hail, though rare, can and do occur, particularly when air mass

Air mass

In meteorology, an air mass is a volume of air defined by its temperature and water vapor content. Air masses cover many hundreds or thousands of square miles, and adopt the characteristics of the surface below them. They are classified according to latitude and their continental or maritime...

es of continental origin are undercut by more humid and unstable Atlantic flows.

Flora and fauna

One of the least densely-populated counties, County Galway harbors a variety of wildlife. The region's biodiversity is best represented by Connemara National Park

Connemara National Park

Connemara National Park is one of six National Parks in the Republic of Ireland that are managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It is located in the west of Ireland within County Galway.-History:Connemara National...

, situated in the west of the county.

Towns and villages

• Ahascragh
  Ahascragh
  Ahascragh is a village in east Galway, Ireland. It is located north-west of Ballinasloe on the Ahascragh/Bunowen River, a tributary of the River Suck. The R358 regional road passes through the village.-History:...
  
  
• Ardrahan
  Ardrahan
  Ardrahan is a village in County Galway, Ireland.-History:Richard de Brugo conquered Galway in 1236, and granted the land to Maurice Fitzgerald who built the castle whose ruins still stand today...
  
  
• Athenry
  Athenry
  Athenry is a town in County Galway, Ireland. It lies east of Galway city, and one of the attractions of the town is its medieval castle. The town is also well-known by virtue of the song "The Fields of Athenry".-History:...
  
  
• Aughrim
  Aughrim, County Galway
  Aughrim is a small village in County Galway, Ireland. It is located in the west of Ireland, between the towns of Loughrea and Ballinasloe, along the N6 national primary road that connects Galway and Dublin....
  
  
• Ballinasloe
• Ballinderreen
  Ballinderreen
  Ballinderreen is a village located on the N67 route between Kilcolgan and Kinvara in south County Galway, in The Republic of Ireland.- Overview :...
  
  
• Ballyconneely
  Ballyconneely
  Ballyconneely is a small ribbon development in west Connemara, County Galway, Ireland.Settlements are spread out north on the road to Clifden and south on the road to Roundstone...
  
  
• Ballygar
  Ballygar
  Ballygar is a town in County Galway, Ireland. It is 11.7 km from Roscommon town.- Ballygar - A timeline :The name Ballygar, historically Beallagarr, comes from...
  
  
• Ballymacward
  Ballymacward
  Ballymacward is a village in County Galway, Ireland, on the R359 regional road between the main road and rail networks which traverse east-west, 10 miles from Ballinasloe and approximately 30 miles from Galway City...
  
  
• Ballymoe
  Ballymoe
  Ballymoe is a village in County Galway, Ireland. Ballymoe is situated on the western side of the River Suck that separates counties Galway and Roscommon...
  
  
• Ballynahinch
  Ballynahinch, County Galway
  Ballynahinch or Ballinahinch is situated close to Recess in County Galway in the West of Ireland, on the road from Recess to Roundstone. It also lies on the route of the former railway line from Galway city to Clifden...
  
  
• Barna
  Barna
  Bearna is a Gaeltacht village west of Galway city in County Galway, Ireland, on the R336 regional road. Once a satellite of Galway city, the village is now rapidly becoming one of its suburbs. Officially the village is regarded as Irish speaking and is therefore a constituent part of the regions...
  
  
• Bealadangan
  Bealadangan
  Bealadangan is a small village in the heart of Connemara , a rocky windswept area on the Atlantic coast, in County Galway, Ireland. The primary language is Irish, and all but a few of the elderly population also speak English. There is a pub, a post office and an elementary school located a...
  
  
• Bullaun
  Bullaun, County Galway
  Bullaun is a village in east County Galway, Ireland. It lies 6 km northeast of Loughrea on the R350 regional road. It shares its parish with a village called New Inn....
  
  
• Camus
  Camus, County Galway
  Camus or Camas is a small village in the Connemara Gaeltacht of County Galway, Ireland. It is between Casla and An Teach Dóite, and is divided into Camas Uachtair and Camas Íochtair, as well as several other townlands, such as Scríob, Gleann Trasna, Leitir Móir, and Doire Bhainbh.-Name:The name...
  
  
• Carnmore
  Carnmore
  Carnmore is located at the southern end of the parish of Claregalway, approximately east of Galway city in County Galway, Ireland. Carnmore lies within the Gaeltacht although the vast majority of residents there use English as their first language...
  
  
• Carraroe
  Carraroe
  An Cheathrú Rua is a village in County Galway, Ireland. The village is within the Irish-speaking region of Connemara, and is famous for its traditional fishing boats known as Galway Hookers. Its population is widely dispersed over Carraroe peninsula between Greatman's Bay and Casla Bay...
  
  
• Casla
• Castleblakeney
  Castleblakeney
  Castleblakeney or Castleblakeny, historically Gallagh , is a village in County Galway, Ireland. It is at the crossroads of the R359 and R339 regional roads, 5km south of the town of Mountbellew.-See also:*List of towns and villages in Ireland...
  
  
• Castlegar
  Castlegar, County Galway
  Castlegar is a village and parish in County Galway, Ireland, located just outside of the city of Galway. It extends from Lough Corrib across to Merlin Park by the old Galway-Dublin road....
  
  
• Claregalway
  Claregalway
  Claregalway is a village situated about 10 km from the city of Galway in County Galway, Ireland. Claregalway was founded on the banks of the River Clare, hence the derivation of its name: Baile Chláir na Gaillimhe meaning "town on the Clare, in Galway"...
  
  
• Clarinbridge
  Clarinbridge
  Clarinbridge is a small village, approximately 15 minutes drive south of Galway, Ireland in the Diocese of Kilmacduagh. It is on the mouth of the Clarin River at the end of Dunbulcaun Bay, which is the easternmost part of Galway Bay...
  
  
• Cleggan
  Cleggan
  Cleggan is a picturesque fishing village in County Galway, Ireland. The village lies 10 km northwest of Clifden and is situated at the head of Cleggan Bay....
  
  
• Clifden
  Clifden
  Clifden is a town on the coast of County Galway, Ireland and being Connemara's largest town, it is often referred to as "the Capital of Connemara". It is located on the Owenglen River where it flows into Clifden Bay...
  
  
• Clonbur
  Clonbur
  An Fhairche is a Gaeltacht village in County Galway, Ireland.The village of Clonbur sits between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask. Two kilometres to the west rises Mount Gable where, according to legend, the hordes of Firbolg gathered on the hilltop before their clash with the Tuatha Dé Danann at the...
  
  
• Corofin
  Corofin, County Galway
  Corofin is a village and parish in County Galway, Ireland, situated on the N17 road between Galway city and Tuam.-Sport:The local Gaelic football club, Corofin GAC, were All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship winners in 1998. They have won 14 Galway Senior Football Championship titles from...
  
  
• Corrandulla
  Annaghdown
  Annaghdown is a parish in County Galway, Ireland. It takes its name from Eanach Dhúin, Irish for "the marsh of the fort". The village lies around Annaghdown Bay, an inlet of Lough Corrib...
  
  
• Corr na Móna
• Craughwell
  Craughwell
  Craughwell is a village and townland in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. The name is also used as a surname, properly Ó Creachmhaoil, though often anglicised as Craughwell and Crockwell...
  
  
• Dunmore
• Eyrecourt
  Eyrecourt
  Eyrecourt, historically known as Donanaghta , is a village in County Galway, Ireland. Eyrecourt is on the R356 regional road 12 km west of the Banagher bridge over the River Shannon.-History:...
  
  
• Furbo
  Furbo, County Galway
  Na Forbacha is a settlement with a population of around 800 in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. It lies along the coast between Barna and Spiddal. It is a Gaeltacht area where Irish is the main language used in the school, church and at community meetings. The figure for those who self-report as...
  
  
• Glenamaddy
  Glenamaddy
  Glenamaddy is a small town in County Galway, Ireland. It lies at the crossroads where the R362 and R364 regional roads intersect.Glenamaddy is the most important town in the northeastern corner of County Galway. It became the musical capital of Connacht during the 1960s when the Showband craze...
  
  
• Gort
  Gort
  Gort is a town in south County Galway in the west of Ireland. An Gort is the official Irish name for the town, as defined by the Placenames Commission. In spoken Irish, however, the town is known by its traditional name Gort Inse Guaire. It lies just north of the border with County Clare on the...
  
  
• Headford
  Headford
  Headford is a town in County Galway, located 26 km north of Galway city in the west of Ireland. The N84 national secondary route from Galway to Castlebar passes through the town. The R333 road travels from Headford to Tuam. There are many other 'boreens' and third-class roads on the...
  
  
• Hollygrove
  Hollygrove, County Galway
  Hollygrove or sometimes Holly Grove is a township of 283 acres in Athleague parish, Killeroran district, Killian barony, Union of Mountbellew, in County Galway, Ireland. Hollygrove is adjacent to the township of Coalpits, Ireland...
  
  
• Inverin
  Inverin
  Indreabhán is a Gaeltacht village between Spiddal and Casla in County Galway, Ireland. Inverin is more strongly Irish-speaking than Spiddal, partly due to fewer commuters from Galway living there. There are a number of Irish-language summer colleges in the area, most notably Coláiste Lurgan and...
  
  
• Kilcolgan
  Kilcolgan
  Kilcolgan , is a village on the mouth of the Kilcolgan River at Dunkellin Bay in County Galway, Ireland. The N18 passes through the settlement. There are also two public houses, Donoghue's and Raftery's Rest...
  
  
• Kilconnell
  Kilconnell
  Kilconnell is a small rural village in County Galway, Ireland.Its population in 2006 was 680. Its land is mainly used for dairy farming and the raising of cattle....
  
  
• Kilkerrin
  Kilkerrin
  Kilkerrin is a village in County Galway, Ireland. It is situated on the R364 regional road 6km south of the town of Glenamaddy. Notable features in the area are Kiltullagh Lake and the Lough Lurgeen raised bog.-See also:...
  
  
• Kilkieran
  Kilkieran
  Cill Chiaráin is a village in County Galway, Ireland. The R340 road along the coast from Galway city passes through Cill Chiaráin.Cill Chiaráin is a Gaeltacht area of Ireland...
  
  
• Killimor
  Killimor
  - See also :* List of towns and villages in Ireland- External links :*...
  
  
• Kilronan
  Kilronan
  Cill Rónáin is the main settlement on Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. The ferries serving the island call at Doolin, County Clare and also Rossaveal, County Galway. The main industries are fishing and tourism. School children also visit to improve their Irish at...
  
  
• Kiltullagh
• Kinvara
  Kinvara
  Kinvara is a sea port village located in the south of County Galway in the province of Connacht on the west coast of Ireland. Kinvara is also the name of the parish in which the village is situated. Kinvara is occasionally spelled Kinvarra in English; this may be seen on some maps and road signs,...
  
  
• Laurencetown
  Lawrencetown, County Galway
  Lawrencetown or Laurencetown , historically called Ballymore, is a village in County Galway, Ireland. It lies on the R355 regional road nine miles south of Ballinasloe .-See also:* List of towns and villages in Ireland...
  
  
• Leenaun
  Leenaun
  Leenaun , also Leenane, is a village and 1,845 acre townland in County Galway, Ireland. It is on the shore of Killary Harbour , on the northern edge of Connemara and is on the route of the Western Way long-distance trail...
  
  
• Lettercallow
• Letterfrack
  Letterfrack
  Letterfrack or Letterfrac is a small village in the Connemara area of County Galway, Ireland. It was founded by the Quakers in the mid-19th century. The village is 15 km north-east of Clifden on Barnaderg Bay and lies at the head of Ballinakill harbour...
  
  
• Lettermore
  Lettermore
  Leitir Móir is a Gaeltacht village in County Galway, Ireland. It is also the name of an island, linked by road to the mainland, in which the village of Lettermore is situated. The name derives from the Irish Leitir Móir meaning great rough hillside . The main spoken language of the area is Irish...
  
  
• Loughrea
  Loughrea
  Loughrea is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The town lies north of a range of wooded hills, the Slieve Aughty Mountains.The town expanded in recent years as it increasingly becomes a commuter town for the city of Galway.- Name :...
  
  
• Maam Cross
  Maam Cross
  Maam Cross is a crossroads in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. It lies within the townland of Shindilla.-Transport:*Maam Cross railway station opened on 1 January 1896 and finally closed on 29 April 1935.-See also:...
  
  
• Maum
  Maum
  An Mám is a village in County Galway, Ireland. Its name is Irish for "the pass".-See also:* List of towns and villages in Ireland...
  
  
• Menlough
  Menlough
  See also Menlo, another settlement in County Galway sometimes spelt "Menlough".Menlough is a village in northeast County Galway in Ireland...
  
  
• Milltown
  Milltown, County Galway
  Milltown is a small village in County Galway, Ireland. It is situated on the banks of the River Clare, 47 km from Galway City, 11 km from Tuam on the N17 road to Sligo.-Transport:...
  
  
• Monivea
  Monivea
  Monivea It was formerly part of the kingdom of the Soghain of Connacht. It is located approximately 30 km from Galway City and 9 km from Athenry. Monivea is known for its sizable forest, Monivea Castle which now lies in partial ruins, and a well-preserved mausoleum...
  
  
• Mountbellew
  Mountbellew
  Mountbellew or Mountbellew Bridge is a village in County Galway, Ireland. It lies mostly within the townland of Treanrevagh on the N63 national primary road....
  
  
• Moycullen
  Moycullen
  Moycullen Moycullen Moycullen (official name: Maigh Cuilinn, Plain of Holly, or Plain of Cullen (a local giant) is a suburban village in County Galway, Ireland, about 10 km (7 mi) north west of Galway city. It is located near Lough Corrib, on the N59 road to Oughterard and Clifden in...
  
  
• Muckanaghederdauhaulia
  Muckanaghederdauhaulia
  This is a list of the longest place names in Ireland. It includes names written in English as a single word of at least 20 letters. The vast majority of English-language place names in Ireland are anglicisations of Irish language names. The spelling which has legal force is usually that used by the...
  
  
• Maree
• Newbridge
  Newbridge, County Galway
  Newbridge is a small rural village located in County Galway in Ireland. It is located on a National secondary road, the N63 Galway City - Longford and is 55 km from Galway City and 25 km from Roscommon Town....
  
  
• New Inn
  New Inn, County Galway
  New Inn is a village in east County Galway, Ireland. It lies mostly within the townland of Knockbrack, northeast of Loughrea. The village is on the Eiscir Riada, a series of hills which stretches across the Great Plains of Ireland. There are many ancient forts or raths scattered throughout the...
  
  
• Oranmore
  Oranmore
  Oranmore is a village in County Galway on the outskirts of Galway city in Ireland. With its major housing developments, Oranmore is rapidly becoming a part of Galway's commuter or suburban belt...
  
  
• Oughterard
  Oughterard
  Oughterard is a small town on the banks of the Owenriff River close to the western shore of Lough Corrib in County Galway, Ireland. The population of the town in 2006 was 1,305...
  
  
• Peterswell
• Portumna
  Portumna
  Portumna is a market town in the south-east of County Galway, Ireland, on the border with County Tipperary. The town is located to the west of the point where the River Shannon enters Lough Derg. This historic crossing point over the River Shannon between counties Tipperary and Galway has a long...
  
  
• Recess
  Recess, County Galway
  Recess is a village in County Galway, Ireland. Its official name is in Irish, Sraith Saileach, and translates as "stream of the willow tree".-Transport:*Recess railway station opened on 1 July 1895 and was closed on 29 April 1935....
  
  
• Rosmuck
  Rosmuck
  Rosmuc or Ros Muc is a village in the heart of the Conamara Gaeltacht of County Galway, Ireland. It lies halfway between the town of Clifden and the city of Galway. It is estimated that people first settled in Rosmuc in 400, one hundred years before Naomh Briocán brought Christianity to the area...
  
  
• Rossaveal
  Rossaveal
  Ros an Mhíl or Ros a' Mhíl is a Gaeltacht village in the Connemara area of County Galway, Ireland. It is the main ferry port for the Aran Islands in Galway Bay...
  
  
• Roundstone
  Roundstone, County Galway
  Roundstone is a village in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland, located on the west coast of Ireland. The town of Clifden is nearby to the north....
  
  
• Roscam
• Skehana
  Skehana
  Skehana is a small village in County Galway, Ireland. The name Skehana derives from the Irish Sceith eánach meaning "place of the whitethorn"....
  
  
• Spiddal
  Spiddal
  Spiddal is a village on the shore of Galway Bay in County Galway in Ireland. It is west of Galway city on the R336 road. Spiddal is on the eastern side of the county's Gaeltacht near Connemara, and is a tourist centre with a scenic beach, harbour, and shore fishing.-The village:The Mac...
  
  
• Tuam
  Tuam
  Tuam is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The name is pronounced choo-um . It is situated west of the midlands of Ireland, and north of Galway city.-History:...
  
  
• Turloughmore
  Turloughmore
  Turloughmore is a village in County Galway, Ireland. The name means "the large lake," a notable feature of the area, together with the Clare River ....
  
  
• Williamstown
• Woodford
  Woodford, County Galway
  Woodford is a village in County Galway, Ireland. The small hamlet has an industrial history. The town's Irish Name, 'Graig na Muilte Iarainn' means 'The Village of the Iron Mills.' Woodford is in the Southeast of County Galway it is situated between the Shannon River and the Slieve Aughty...
  
  

See also

• Connacht Irish
  Connacht Irish
  Connacht Irish is the dialect of the Irish language spoken in the province of Connacht. Gaeltacht regions in Connacht are found in Counties Mayo and Galway...
  
  
• Galway East (Dáil Éireann constituency)
• Galway West (Dáil Éireann constituency)
• Galway GAA
  Galway GAA
  The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
  
  
• List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Galway)
• Joyce Country
• Lord Lieutenant of Galway
  Lord Lieutenant of Galway
  This is a list of people who have held the post of Lord Lieutenant of Galway. The office was created on 23 August 1831 and was abolished in 1922, when Galway ceased to be part of the United Kingdom....
  
  
• High Sheriff of County Galway
• High Sheriff of Galway Town
  High Sheriff of Galway Town
  The High Sheriff of Galway Town was the Sovereign's judicial representative in the county of the Town of Galway. Initially an office for lifetime, assigned by the Sovereign, the High Sheriff became annually appointed from the Provisions of Oxford in 1258. Besides his judicial importance, he had...
  
  

External links

• Galway County Council
• Tourist information website
• Map of Galway County
• *FLIRT FM* Galways Student Radio Station NUIG/GMIT
• Galway GAA
• County Galway Guide
• / local newspaper
• Extensive list of places in County Galway.