In past times, if you dared to cross the rickety Claddagh bridge out of the town of Galway, you would have to stop and wait at the far end of the bridge and wait for someone to approach you and ask the nature of your business before you could enter the area.
This week I took the circuitous route and went in by the Claddagh Basin. I took a leisurely stroll around the area, trying to imagine this fishing village before it became a suburb of Galway.
The Claddagh has a rich fishing heritage, being possibly the oldest fishing village in Ireland. The Claddagh Hooker is synonymous with the Claddagh; the fishermen being led out to sea by their King. Yes, they still elect a King; their current King recently celebrated his 94th birthday.
The Claddagh Church, St. Mary’s on the Hill, is at the heart of the Claddagh community; and there is a strong association with the Dominicans. The lives of this community were closely linked with the Dominicans, who were instrumental in the development of this unique area.
There is a rich tapestry of fishing traditions, ecclesiastical architecture and engrossing heritage that make the Claddagh the place of legends.
If you would like to discover more about this unique area, why not join Galway Civic Trust / Dúchas na Gaillimhe each Friday as we lead a guided tour of the Claddagh. This tour will take about 2 hours, which really is only enough time to get a general overview of this very special place.
These tours will start at 12 o’ clock; noon; each Friday; commencing at the Hall of the Red Earl in Druid Lane.
Enquiries can be made to Galway Civic Trust on 091 564 946 or Ian on 087 247 9209.
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