Aghrim, 24 m. E. of Galway, is a small village; but noticeable as the scene of battle between Ginkle and St. Ruth in the war of the Revolution, 12th July, 1691, when the latter, with his French and Irish army, was completely defeated. The scene of action was on Kilcomodon Hill. See the beautiful demesne of Ballydonnellan, also Ballydugan; ruins of old Castles; and the magnificent demesne of Wood Lawn. But this place and its surrounding scenery may be visited from Loughrea.
Athenry, 10 m. N.E. of Galway, now in decay; once a strong English fortification; its walls built in 1211. See Dominican monastery, noble even in its ruins. The tower and several of the gable windows are very fine; but its appearance is much altered by a part having been fitted up for the reception of the garrison, the cloisters forming the modern barrack-yard. Ancient Castle of the Lords Birmingham, in ruins; with lofty tower and ivy-mantled walls, affording a good idea of the feudal manners on the borders of the Pale. At Knockmoy, 7 m. N., see ruins of a monastery, with an ancient tomb of the O'Connors adorned with sepulchral mementos in fresco painting.
Ballinasloe, 30 m. E. of Galway, is on the very verge of the county, and interesting to the statistical tourist from its autumnal fair for cattle, under the immediate patronage of the Farming Society. (See further Mr. Curwen's Letters, vol. ii. p. 229.)
Clonfert, 30 m. E. of Galway, is an ancient bishopric.—Visit the beautiful ruins of the Cathedral, especially the W. front (1270). This was the scene of frequent battles during the irruptions of the Danes. Hall speaks highly of this place; observing, that the planting and improvement about the Bishop's Palace render Clonfert a little paradise. Visit Shannon Bridge and the round tower, at a place called the Seven Churches.
Galway, the county town, is 102 m. W. of Dublin, formerly fortified and celebrated in the wars of the Revolution; but now dismantled, and every trace disappearing. The architecture of the old town gloomy and massive; of the suburbs, elegant and airy. See 3 Nunneries, 3 Friaries, and 3 Barracks; Court-houses; Infirmary; magnificent Gothic Ch.; massy Gaol; and coarse woollen manufacture. The bay is very fine, sheltered at its entrance by the isles of Arran; but the country around is described by Mr. Curwen as having the most singular appearance he ever beheld, resembling the seat of a volcanic eruption from the immense blocks of limestone scattered over a space of great extent, with scarce a symptom of vegetation. See ruined tower of Ballensnave Castle; Caher Morres, a small hamlet, 11 m. N., but with good inn, as a station for the northern shores of Lough Corrib; Clare Galway, ancient Abbey, with lofty tower and fine Gothic east window; also splendid ruins of a strongly built castle; Dun Aengus in the greater isle of Arran, is a circle of large stones on a lofty cliff, a remnant of ancient fortification: Rosserally has extensive ruins of a monastery (1498). Turlaghmore, already alluded to, may from hence be visited.
Lough Corrib possesses some romantic scenery; and is about 20 m. long, and at the broadest part 11; being contracted in the middle so as to appear like two lakes. The collector may here pick up some very good specimens of pearls from a muscle peculiar to the lake. The scenery on its western shores is a chain of wild and stupendous mountains, with some few fertile valleys. It contains many pretty islands; and here is caught the gillaroo trout, with a gizzard like a fowl, esteemed a great delicacy. Headfort, on its northern shore, is a well-built village, with venerable Ch. and barrack; near it an ancient mansion of the St. George family.
Lough Derg is a wide reach of the Shannon, which may be visited from Portumna. In it is a beautiful island, on which is a round tower 70 feet high, and the remains of 7 Churches.
Lough Rea, 16 m. E. of Galway, is a well built village, and will receive the tourist in exploring the eastern district as a central station. See the fine lake; pleasing prospects; ruins of the old Castle of the De Burghs; various castle ruins in the vicinity. Dalystown, the handsome mansion and demesne of the Daly family. Gort, 10 m. S.W., is a neat though small village, 2 m. from which ruins of Cathedral at Kilmacduagh, and round tower 112 feet high, inclining 17½ feet from the perpendicular, being 4 more than the tower of Pisa. Here are places called the Swallows, into which several streams are engulfed, and rise afterwards into day. Kilconnel Abbey, in ruins, has a lofty tower and some fine arcades.
Ouchterard, 20 m. N.W. from Galway, is a small village, but forms a good station for the tourist who will persevere in examining the western district of the county. Here is a chalybeate, and its situation is considered peculiarly salubrious. If the tourist chooses, he may penetrate to Ballynahinch, a small village, but worthy a visit, being situated in that district called Connemara; mountainous, and intersected by numerous bays affording great diversity of scenery. It stands at the foot of the vast ridge of Beannabeola, or the Twelve Pins, consisting principally of perpendicular rocks, with a charming lake extending for several miles in its immediate vicinity; round which the hills are watered by rivers and small lakes, and sheltered by the venerable remains of ancient woods, among which are to be found a simple rude people, inhabiting what is generally called "Joyce's Country," forming a distinct class in manners and in appearance. The western shores of Lough Corrib may be visited from Ouchterard; also Lough Mask. See also the small district of Ross, N. of it, a sequestered spot, whose solitary wilds have scarcely yet been trod by civilized man.
Portumna, 30 m. S.E. of Galway, and on the banks of Lough Derg, forms a good station for that district.—A neat village with wooden bridge across the Shannon. See the Castle, a venerable mansion of the Clanricards: ruins of an Abbey, walls nearly entire, the choir of parish Ch. Eyre Court, 2 m., a straggling village. See the venerable Castle. Numerous ruins of Castles in the vicinity. At Tynagh see ruins of Palace Castle in the midst of a grove; also the Ch. Near it Flowerhill, a delightful residence of Lord Riverston. Spring Garden, and other good seats of the gentry.
Tuam, 16 m. N.E. of Galway; large and populous.—See Cathedral; venerable Palace; elegant Mall. See Claddagh Castle in a wild and sombre district; Dunmore, with ruins of an Abbey; Newton Butler and Castle Bellaw, a fine seat, with ruins of a Castle.
