King of the Claddagh
Encyclopedia
The King of the Claddagh was the title given to the leader of the Claddagh
community in Galway City. It is now a honarary role.
was a distinct Irish speaking community across the Corrib
River from Galway City, with its own king, who led the fishing fleet and made the big decisions. The King of the Claddagh sailed a galway hooker
with a special white sail, and settled disputes between the locals.
Historically he was elected annually, he enforced the local bye-laws, settled disputes, and his power was described as being absolute among the fishermen.
. The first recorded King of the Claddagh was the Rev Thomas Folan, who died in 1887.
Claddagh
Claddagh is an area close to the centre of Galway city, where the Corrib River meets Galway Bay. It was formerly a fishing village, just outside the old city walls. It is just across the river from the Spanish Arch, which was the location of regular fish markets where the locals supplied the city...
community in Galway City. It is now a honarary role.
Background
Up to the 19th and early 20th centuries, the CladdaghCladdagh
Claddagh is an area close to the centre of Galway city, where the Corrib River meets Galway Bay. It was formerly a fishing village, just outside the old city walls. It is just across the river from the Spanish Arch, which was the location of regular fish markets where the locals supplied the city...
was a distinct Irish speaking community across the Corrib
Corrib
Corrib has multiple meanings. Among the possible ones are:*Lough Corrib, a lake in the west of Ireland, north of Galway.*River Corrib, a river connecting Lough Corrib to Galway Bay through the city of Galway....
River from Galway City, with its own king, who led the fishing fleet and made the big decisions. The King of the Claddagh sailed a galway hooker
Galway Hooker
The Galway hooker is a traditional fishing boat used in Galway Bay off the west coast of Ireland. The hooker was developed for the strong seas there. It is identified by the distinctive sail formation. It consisted of a single mast with a main sail and two foresails...
with a special white sail, and settled disputes between the locals.
Historically he was elected annually, he enforced the local bye-laws, settled disputes, and his power was described as being absolute among the fishermen.
Recent Kings
The King of the Claddagh today is Mike LynskeyMike Lynskey
-biography:Although he has never been professionally involved in sailing, Lynskey has always taken an active interest in the traditions and lifestyle of the Claddagh, and, as King of the Claddagh, has worked hard to try and keep them alive...
. The first recorded King of the Claddagh was the Rev Thomas Folan, who died in 1887.
External links
- http://www.galwayindependent.com/making-waves/making-waves/me-and-the-sea-%11-mike-lynskey/
- http://www.galwaycitymuseum.ie/exhibitions/the-claddagh/
- http://www.thekennygallery.ie/gallery/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=3631&category_id=236&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1