Galway Tales & Terrors

Galway is a city rich with historical value, where tourists flock to understand the depths of its lore. The city is a step back in time, full of old pubs and castles, cathedrals, and quays. Water is an integral part of the city, flowing adjacent to the sidewalks and roads, heading towards the sea. Like water, stories flow through the mouths of the people, passing down tales from one generation to the next, carrying Galway’s memories along with them. Here is a compilation of tales that have impacted the people of Galway, as well as the experience of tourists. Read on, and step into some of the most chilling tales and fascinating traditions this city has to offer.

Galway's Rich History

Myths and legends have long been the foundation for Irish history and have heavily influenced the structure of Gaelic Society. These oral traditions have survived for centuries because of Ireland’s autonomy from the Roman Empire, due to their distant location. Religious clerics of the Dark Ages transformed these oral tales into text such as the “Annals of the Four Masters” and the “Book of Leinster” which are currently preserved at the famous Trinity College in Dublin. Having stories in text helps to keep them alive and prevents their erasure from history.

When categorizing Irish folklore, it is commonly separated into four groups: The mythological cycle, the Ulster cycle, the Fenian cycle, and the historical cycle. The mythological cycle is the earliest, therefore least preserved, and contains the stories of Gaelic Gods and supernatural events. The Ulster cycle occurred around the first century and highlighted the shift from magical stories to tales of warfare. The Fenian cycle was written in the 3rd Century AD and was characterized by stories of romance and the magic of animals. The final cycle was historical, that focused on the attributes needed to be a good king. This showed the transition from Paganism to Christianity.

In the legend, Camilla is killed at the hands of the sole surviving Horatii brother because of her engagement to a Curatii — perceived as a betrayal of her duty to Rome.

"Haunted" Galway Youtube Video

"Haunted" Galway

Don't listen to all that gossip, Galway is so much more than we might think. Leave it to the locals to describe the unique spirit of the city.

Superstitions and Traditions

Known as “The City of Tribes”, Galway was originally a small fishing town near the bay, run by the Claddagh tribe. Their village revolved around fishing. The men would head out in the mornings on their hooker boats to get the catch of the day. The women would sell the fish in the local market, which was the heart of Galway’s economy. The Claddagh peoples’ fishing village put Galway on the map as a prosperous city, and as they grew, various traditions were born amidst their culture. Many still exist and are practiced throughout Galway’s locals today.

Like many other Irish cities, Galway is rich with tradition and superstition that have been passed down through generations. Tradition is especially important in adding to their profound culture, and superstitions are an embellishment of these traditions. While it is almost impossible to trace the origin of some superstitions, they are often created to harness control or give people the ability to predict events out of their control. Some of the well-known superstitions that existed among the Claddagh people directly involved fishing and being out on the sea. For example, it was considered extremely bad luck for a sailor to see a red-haired woman, fox, or hare before they were about to set sail. It was believed that the hare would use supernatural powers against the sailors and in turn, they would not board a ship that day. Sailors would also bring out a stick of mountain ash or a rowan tree to protect themselves on the ocean against the so-called “curse of a scored widow.” These sailors would treat the sea like a personified mother figure, and their intentional actions paid respect to the beautiful and mystic sea, which provided them with life and food.

Cursing is also one of the most prominent and powerful forms of magic that people in Galway and around Ireland use. Cursing is not profanity– it is best understood as an ancient art that takes training, wisdom, and composure. Cursing has always been a popular practice, from ancient times to around the middle of the twentieth century. This history of dark magic goes back thousands of years, written throughout literature and documents, ranging from Anglo-Saxon papers to modern times. Cursing was and is a way to express anger– it ranges from simply messing around with a friend to shouting at your enemy.

Linked Below is an interview with Galway local, Áine Keaveney, who shares how Irish folklore has influenced her life and her art. She highlights how these oral traditions have contributed to the beautiful energy in the City of Galway. We highly encourage you to explore her artwork on Instagram (@aineillustrations).

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St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church

Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas

Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas.

Catholic Pro-Cathedral of Saint Nicholas originally Saint Nicholas's Catholic Chapel

Modern-day Saint Nicholas's Catholic Chapel.

Duniguire Castle, County Galway

Dark Tales of Galway

Here is a collection of eerie stories and gory historical events that occurred in the city of Galway, that range from the 16th century to modern times. Kings, murders, ghosts, and executions are a few words that offer a sneak peek into the terrifying tales below.

A dark forest located in Ireland. There are multiple trees covered in ivy and moss. The moss also covers the forest floor.

King's Head

The King’s Head Pub is a popular pub located in the heart of the city where any tourist can enjoy a pint while listening to fantastic live musicians. However, many tourists don’t know the chilling origin story of its name and the historic building. During 1625-29, King Charles I threatened to be absolute in his ruling and became extremely unpopular with his subjects through his monarchy and marriage to a Catholic. He was eventually put on trial, found guilty, and sentenced to death. A volunteer named Peter Stubber was found to have beheaded King Charles I on January 13, 1689. It was known that it took a few chops to behead the king and this spectacle was made more gruesome through the fact that the crowd kept blood-stained handkerchiefs as a memento of the execution. The executioner, Stubber, eventually was made mayor of Galway after this city’s surrender to England, and Stubber was given the current building of King’s Head Pub as a modest home to overlook the city. Though many years have passed, the name of this pub will forever conjure the image of the unsettling execution of King Charles I.

Pro-Cathedral Parish Church

Galway’s Pro-Cathedral Parish Church located on the corner of Abbeygate Street Lr. was once a popular local gathering place for mass. But on Christmas morning 1842, tragedy struck and scarred the city for years to come. At 6 am, the church was packed full of families and congregation members for the service. An unidentified man heard a cracking noise and believed that the gallery was going to collapse. He sent the church into an uproar as everyone tried to squeeze through the exit. Unfortunately, the mass was on the second floor of the church, making any type of jump to ground level dangerous. Multiple people did try to escape through the windows, sadly falling to their deaths. Families were separated as hysteria set in, and people were crushed and suffocated as the stampede of bodies tried to push through. 37 people were killed, and many more suffered injuries. What makes this story so disturbing is that the gallery was never collapsing. The widespread fight-or-flight panic caused a heartbreaking event that ultimately could’ve been prevented. 17 victims were buried in Forthill Cemetery, which to this day is a record number. Flashing forward to the present day, the Cathedral has now been taken over by various businesses and shops. To any ordinary tourist, there would be no reason to stop and reflect on the events that transpired. But to so many Galwigians, it is a constant reminder of that harrowing Christmas morning.

Clifden Castle

Clifden Castle is located in Connemara, which is a region of Galway, and was built in the early 1800s. This castle was built for a man named John D’Arcy and the property was passed down throughout his family. Unfortunately, around 1845, the D’Arcy family lost ownership of Clifden Castle, due to bankruptcy caused by the Great Potato Famine. During the famine, many people took shelter in Clifden Castle since they lost money due to the failure of the potato crops that season, and no longer had places to live. People now tell stories of how ghosts of the famine haunt the castle and the land surrounding it. The ghosts that now haunt Clifden Castle died of starvation, diseases, and environmental causes due to the famine.

FORTHILL CEMETERY

Forthill Cemetery was established in the 1500s here in Galway City. One fateful day, the Spanish Armada docked their boats in Galway in 1588. They were all horribly beheaded upon their arrival by the Irish because they washed up in Galway without warning. Forthill quickly filled up with the bodies of hundreds of murdered Spanish soldiers, along with a plaque that pays tribute to their unjust deaths. Forthill Cemetery, named Saint Augustine’s Hill at the time, was also used as a fort for battles. This fort still stands today and is used as a burial site for the individuals who lost their lives battling on the hill during the 1600s. Forthill Cemetery is a chilling place to visit for tourists and locals alike, knowing who is buried there, and how they passed.

Druid Theatre

The Druid Theatre Company moved into an abandoned building on Courthouse Lane in 1979. The Druid Theatre Company became successful, putting on several successful plays and productions. The street the theatre was later named Druid Lane, because of its overwhelming success in 1996. Before the Druid Theatre Company moved into the abandoned building, many nuns were seen frequenting that area. This could explain why numerous individuals who have attended and worked at the theatre have claimed to have seen the ghost of a “faceless nun.” She has been allegedly spotted along Druid Lane, walking up and down the street. Strange noises coming out of the theatre long after it had closed have also been reported by locals and tourists alike.

The Long Walk

The Long Walk is a path right along the Spanish Arch that extends along the canal in the Claddagh village. Many people walk along the Long Walk for exercise, or just to take in the amazing views. Throughout the years, people have told a tale about a mysterious lady who walks along the Long Walk, but no one ever had proof. Finally, in 2012, a photographer was taking pictures at the Long Walk, when he took a picture of a mysterious woman wearing a long, dark cloak. When he went to take more photos, she had disappeared. People have looked at the photo, and believe the woman is a nun, haunting the Claddagh Village. Others believe that the picture is a trick, but no one else has ever been able to take another picture of this “ghost.”

The importance of preserving folklore, traditions, superstitions, and more throughout Galwegian and Irish culture is seen throughout present-day society. It has been enhanced and brought back to life over and over again through its music, art, festivals, holidays, and literature. The determination to keep their past alive and continue to honor it in the present is what makes Irish culture so absolutely timeless.

2 Men playing traditional music in a pub

"Music as Community"

One of Ireland's timeless qualities is its music scene. Here at the music store Opus II in Galway, we learn about the inviting, collaborative, and enchanting nature of music and street perofrmers.