We've begun to take little trips into the 'big' cites (Dublin and Galway) to better acquaint ourselves. Driving and parking can be very intimidating especially with hundreds of other cars whizzing by just because they know where they are going! Our GPS is not always spot on and most locations do not have a street address so some locations are difficult to find. They do like one-way streets too. Once we do find them we must park the car. Always a treat, but seriously, I'm becoming good at parallel parking (on the wrong side of the street no less) and in the teeniest spots. I’ll be sure to take a picture next time I accomplish this.
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| Spanish Arch |
One
of these trips was to the Galway City Museum.
Relatively easy to find, but again the parking – oh-vey. Right on the ‘long walk’ just down from the ‘Spanish
arch’. Granted this was on a Sunday, most
business are closed so the working class was not there, only tourists.
The
museum is three stories, rather small and sits next to the Spanish Arch. It houses a mixed assortment of artifacts
pertaining specifically to the history of Galway. They have a cool 3D display (you can play
with) of medieval Galway, various medieval artifacts and stones. Front and center, literally, hanging from the
ceiling is a traditional old time sailing vessel – Galway Hooker. The third
floor is the very child friendly sea sciences complete with some handmade sea
creatures and a play submarine. They
have a war zone display which honors those locals who made contributions to
battles, along with some militia pieces and uniforms. 
One
of two highlights for me was the Galway Civic Sword & Great Mace, which in
themselves have quite a history. The sword was beautifully handmade in the 1600’s,
the mace in the 1700’s. They have been given,
stolen, bought & sold (William Randolph Hearst 1935-51) carried by many a dignitary
(J.F. Kennedy in 1963) in numerous parades and processions both civic and religious.
Finally, 2006 on display here in the city
museum.
Second highlight is the statue of Pádraic Ó Conaire. Born in Galway, 1882; a famous author, journalist and school teacher. Some of his writings are on display, translated from the original Gaelic. The status was commissioned in 1935 and sat in the heart of Galway City at Eyre Square. Unfortunately, it was vandalized (decapitated) in 1999 – repaired and moved to the Museum in 2004.
Cool!
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