Dominick Lynch (Mayor)
Encyclopedia
Dominick Lynch, Mayor of Galway
, fl. 1580–1581.
Lynch was a member of one of The Tribes of Galway and his term occurred during the Mac an Iarla Wars (Mac an Iarla means the Earl's sons, i.e., Earl of Clanricarde
and Earl of Thomond
) which devastated much of County Galway
from about 1570– about 1584. Two of them, a Burke and an O'Brien, were captured and brought to Galway to be hung. Lynch secured a pardon for the prisoners, but was deliberately held up on the way from the Thosel to the gallows
outside the town walls by order of Sheriff
William Óge Martyn
, who proceeded to hang them, though fully aware of Lynch's pardon.
Other events during his term of office including the construction of the west side of the Thosel and his foundation of one of the town's first schools, situated near the Spanish Arch
. It was called Saint Nicholas
's Lay School, also known as the Free School. It became the most important grammar school
west of the Shannon
over the next sixty years, with students studying the classics and Irish
literature
and culture
. By 1608 some twelve hundred were attending the school, by which stage it had gained great statues all over Ireland
. Among those who would attend the school were historians John Lynch, Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh
and Ruaidhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh
. Other possible students include Patrick D'Arcy
and Richard Martyn
, as well as other notables of the town.
Lynch made a donation of money to the corporation, and gave it his own mansion to serve as the Town Hall.
Dominick Lynch had at least one son, Geoffrey Lynch, who represented the town in the bid for a Charter
in 1610.
Mayor of Galway
The office of Mayor of Galway is an honorific title used by the of Galway City Council. The Council has jurisdiction throughout its administrative area which is the city of Galway – the largest city in the province of Connacht, in the Republic of Ireland. The office was originally established by a...
, fl. 1580–1581.
Lynch was a member of one of The Tribes of Galway and his term occurred during the Mac an Iarla Wars (Mac an Iarla means the Earl's sons, i.e., Earl of Clanricarde
Earl of Clanricarde
Earl of Clanricarde is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of Ireland, first in 1543 and again in 1800. The former creation became extinct in 1916 while the 1800 creation is still extant and held by the Marquess of Sligo since 1916....
and Earl of Thomond
Earl of Thomond
"Earl of Thomond" was a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created twice for the family of Ó Briain. The O'Brien dynasty were an ancient Irish sept native to north Munster....
) which devastated much of County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
from about 1570– about 1584. Two of them, a Burke and an O'Brien, were captured and brought to Galway to be hung. Lynch secured a pardon for the prisoners, but was deliberately held up on the way from the Thosel to the gallows
Gallows
A gallows is a frame, typically wooden, used for execution by hanging, or by means to torture before execution, as was used when being hanged, drawn and quartered...
outside the town walls by order of Sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
William Óge Martyn
William Oge Martyn
-Early life:Also known as William Óge Martyn fitz Thomas, was a son of Thomas Óge Martyn and Evelina Lynch of Galway. Bailiff of Galway in 1566 to 1567, he was kidnapped by the Earl of Thomond in January 1570 but was free in time to participate at the battle of Shrule in April of the same year...
, who proceeded to hang them, though fully aware of Lynch's pardon.
Other events during his term of office including the construction of the west side of the Thosel and his foundation of one of the town's first schools, situated near the Spanish Arch
Spanish Arch
The Spanish Arch in Galway city, Ireland was originally an extension of the city wall from Martin's Tower to the bank of the Corrib, as a measure to protect the city's quays, which were located in the area once known as the Fish Market...
. It was called Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas , also called Nikolaos of Myra, was a historic 4th-century saint and Greek Bishop of Myra . Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker...
's Lay School, also known as the Free School. It became the most important grammar school
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
west of the Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
over the next sixty years, with students studying the classics and Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
and culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
. By 1608 some twelve hundred were attending the school, by which stage it had gained great statues all over Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Among those who would attend the school were historians John Lynch, Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh
Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh
Dubhaltach MacFhirbhisigh, also known as Dubhaltach Óg mac Giolla Íosa Mór mac Dubhaltach Mór Mac Fhirbhisigh, Duald Mac Firbis, Dudly Ferbisie, and Dualdus Firbissius was an Irish scribe, translator, historian and genealogist...
and Ruaidhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh
Ruaidhri Ó Flaithbheartaigh
Ruaidhri Ó Flaithbheartaigh, King of Iar Connacht and Chief of the Name, fl. 1244-1273.-Biography:Ruaidhri was a brother of the preceding chief, Morogh...
. Other possible students include Patrick D'Arcy
Patrick D'Arcy
Patrick D'Arcy was an Irish Catholic Confederate and lawyer who wrote the constitution of Confederate Ireland.-Background:Born in County Galway, Ireland, Darcy was the youngest son of James Riabhach Darcy by his second marriage to Elizabeth Martyn. James Riabhach was formerly Vice-President of...
and Richard Martyn
Richard Martyn
Richard Martyn was a leading figure in early New Hampshire, in business, church and government.Martyn was a merchant, and in 1671, he was one of the founders of the first church in Portsmouth. He served as Selectman, as Commissioner for the Trial of Small Causes, and as Deputy to the General...
, as well as other notables of the town.
Lynch made a donation of money to the corporation, and gave it his own mansion to serve as the Town Hall.
Dominick Lynch had at least one son, Geoffrey Lynch, who represented the town in the bid for a Charter
Charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
in 1610.