Motto: J’ aim mon Dieu, mon Roi et mon Pais (My God, my King, and my Country)
Unique among the Tribes, the Kirwans are considered of Gaelic origin. They trace their lineage to Ciorrovan, son of Maoldabhreac, descending from Heremon, son of Milesius. The family may have evolved from the earlier Kirwickes. Settled in Galway by the reign of Henry VI, they were known for academic and scientific accomplishments, most notably Richard Kirwan (of Cregg, a pioneer of chemistry), and Dean Walter Blake Kirwan (Christian orator). Estates included Cregg, Castlehackett, and Gardenfield.
As successful merchants the Kirwans established themselves as landowners in many parts of Co. Galway before the 1641 rising. They lost heavily because of the Cromwellian confiscations. A number conformed during the 18th century, most notably the Blindwell, Castlehackett and Cregg branches of the family.
The name lives on in Galway, preserved in the ancient street name, Kirwan’s lane, off Cross St. In 1993, redevelopment of the lane began with the aim of restoring the medieval landscape. Many medieval features are preserved in the buildings.
1651 Map: https://galwaycivictrust.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Cantec_Scan-of-1651-map.pdf
Sources Consulted
Books
Dargan, Pat, Galway – City of Heritage, Eastwood Books, Dublin, 2024
Dowd, Peadar, “A Family Heritage in Stone”, Galway Roots- Journal of the Galway Family History Society West, Summer 1993, (pp6-8)
Hardiman, James, Hardiman’s History of Galway, 1820 (reprint, Connacht Tribune 1985)
Larkin, Patrick “SOME TOWN CASTLES OF GALWAY.”Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society 72 (2020): 157–72.
Martyn Adrian, The Tribes Of Galway; 1124- 1642, Galway; Adrian Martyn, 2016
O’Neill T.P., The Tribes and other Galway families, (1984), reprint, Galway Civic Trust, 2013
Prunty, Jacinta; Walsh, Paul, Galway- Irish Historic Town Atlas No 28, Royal Irish Academy, 2016
Walsh, Paul, Renaissance Galway- Delineating the Seventeenth Century City, Royal Irish Academy, 2019
Internet
Welcome to County Galway Guide, ‘’Tribes of Galway”, (2007), https://www.galway-ireland.ie/galway-tribes.htm
