Motto: Virtus sola Nobilitat. (Virtue is the only nobility)
Of British origin, the Blake family was among the most influential of Galway’s Tribes. Believed to be descended either from Ap-Lake, a knight of Arthurian legend, or from the Saxon word Blac, they arrived with Strongbow and built a castle at Menlo. Richard Caddell, later surnamed Blake, served as sheriff of Connaught in 1306. The family held estates across Galway and Mayo, with significant branches at Menlo Castle (Galway), Ardfry, Ballyglunin, and Castlegrove. Joseph Henry Blake, (descended from the Ardfry line), became Baron Wallscourt in 1800.
In the City itself, they had four houses, featured on the Galway Pictorial Map of 1651
Their original castle in Galway city is still to be seen at the foot of Quay Street facing towards the Spanish Parade, a section of it which still remains. It became known as Blake’s Southern Castle to distinguish it from their William Street castle. After the 1652 confiscations, the Blakes were dispossessed of it, and by 1686 it was in use as the County Gaol. It remained so until 1811, when Nun’s Island Gaol was put into service. Blake’s southern castle remains have been restored, and today serves as a retail coffee-shop. (Marked as T on the map).
Blake’s Northern Castle was the great castle of Sir Valentine Blake, baronet, also of Menlo castle. It was located on the north side of William Street, and was variously known as his great castle, his mansion house, his town house and edifices, (or his great stone castle or house). It was generally referred to as his northern castle. There are numerous stone remnants of the castle and its windows and doors to be seen in William Street (which stood behind the general area where Caravans bar is located today).He paid a high price for his support of the confederacy during the 1641 rebellion, losing all of his property and estates in the town and county by confiscation in 1652. Although occupied by the Cromwellians after the town was taken, it soon went to ruin. (Marked as W on the map)
The town house of Sir Richard Blake, knight is also featured on the Galway Pictorial Map. It was situated on Bridge Street North. It is mentioned in the 1661 forfeitures as a “Ruined Castle in Bridge Street”. The ruined building was demolished, and replaced by the Shambles Barracks, constructed here in the 18th century. The site now houses a school premises since early 1955, when Saint Patrick’s National School was opened here. There are no visible traces of the earlier tower house. (Marked as Y on the map).
The town-house of Sir Walter Blake, knight, is referenced on the Pictorial map. It was located on Martin’s Lane (off Quay Street, adjoining Kirwan’s Lane; Marked as b on the map).
