Folklore · County Galway
Folklore and traditions of County Galway
26 sites with recorded traditions.
Illustrative image
26 sites in County Galway with traditions recorded by the Archaeological Survey. County Galway guide.
Folklore on ErinSites is quoted from the Archaeological Survey of Ireland (or, when marked, from visitors). It records what people said or believed about a place; it is not presented as historical fact.
- Clonkeenkerrill Friary Abbey or friary · Clonkeenkerrill, Co. Galway
According to local tradition, this is the site of an early church founded by St Kerrill (Topgr. Files, NMI).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Dunmore Abbey Friary Abbey or friary · Abbeyland South, Co. Galway
This Augustinian friary, a National Monument, is first mentioned in 1425 and it is reputed to have been founded in that year by Walter de Bermingham (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 299).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Knockmoy Abbey Abbey or friary · Abbey (Tiaquin By.), Co. Galway
The ruins of a rectangular building (E-W; L 11.35m, Wth 5m) (GA058-004002-), probably of post-medieval date (Sweetman 1987, 9-11), lie immediately to N. A modern mill (GA058-004005-), 325m to W, is said to occupy the site of the original abbey mill (Cochrane…
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Kilbennan Monastery Monastic site · Ballygaddy,Pollacorragune,Tonlegee (Dunmore By.), Co. Galway
A disciple of St Patrick (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 388), he is reputed to have been granted 'the fortress of Dun Lughaid' for the purpose by a local chieftain (Leask 1977, 13).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Killursa Church Ower Ancient church · Ower (Clare By.), Co. Galway
Reputedly the site of St Fursey's 7th-C monastery (Harbison 1975, 94).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Kiltiernan Church Ancient church · Kiltiernan East, Co. Galway
Little is known of its history or founder but Fahey (1893, 94, 410-1) records a local tradition that this site was a daughter house of Kilmacduagh (see GA128-034001-).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church Ancient church · Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.), Co. Galway
Legend has it that he rescued these from ruin by throwing three bags of money (shown on the seal to the right of the saint) in through their window.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Lynch's Castle Castle · Townparks (Galway By., St. Nicholas Par.), Co. Galway
It was certainly the home of a very wealthy member of the Lynch family and was reputedly the residence of Thomas Lynch fitz Andrew, mayor of Galway in 1654, who was deposed by the notorious Cromwellian military governor, Colonel Peter Stubbers.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - O'Brien's Castle Castle · Inis Oírr, Co. Galway
Though early in design, the castle is probably of 14th-C date: it was certainly still in use in 1574 when it was in the possession of 'Domynick Lynch' (Nolan 1901, 115) and was reputedly broken down in 1652 by Cromwell's forces (Hardiman 1846, 86-7).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Lady's Well Holy well · Abbey (Leitrim By.), Co. Galway
The structure was partially covered with ivy and a number of rags had been tied to this overgrowth on the E and S walls.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Our Lady's Well Holy well · Derrycrag, Co. Galway
Old rags and rosary beads hang on a nearby tree.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Bridget's Well Holy well · Loughrea, Co. Galway
According to local information, the well was used as a cure for sore eyes and rags were tied to a hawthorn bush its E; the latter has since been removed.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
- St Bridget's Well Holy well · Timsallagh Or Spring Grove, Co. Galway
No votive offerings were visible but according to local information, the well was formerly used for ‘cures’.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St Sorney's Well Holy well · Drumacoo, Co. Galway
Access is via seven steps at N. Modern votive offerings are visible and there is a local tradition of a pattern, performed on two consecutive Mondays and the intervening Thursday, at which cures for injuries, bleeding and minor disabilities are sought.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St. Cuan's Well Holy well · Castlegar East, Co. Galway
A pattern was held there on the 15th October (St Cuan's feastday) annually and it was said that the water could not be boiled (The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0044, Page 0099-0100. © National Folklore Collection, UCD; accessed at…
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - St. Dima's Well Holy well · Killeenadeema East, Co. Galway
People would visit it especially in August and September and, according to tradition, the water of the well helped cure rheumatism.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - The Bullaun of the Four Beauties Holy well · Eochaill (Bar. Árainn), Co. Galway
Known locally as Bullán na Ceathrair Álainn, it consists of a natural basin in the rock delimited by a drystone wall, oval in plan (0.85m by 0.45m), opening towards N. Numerous modern offerings are visible.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Tobar Muire Holy well · Kingstown Glebe Or Ballymaconry, Co. Galway
Just above the seashore overlooking Corrán, a sheltered bay to W. Known locally as Tobar Muire, it consists of a small natural spring with a lintelled-over drystone surround opening towards W. A number of modern offerings are visible.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Tobar Muire Holy well · An Coillín, Co. Galway
Modern offerings are visible in it.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Tobar Muire Holy well · Cill Chiaráin, Co. Galway
To N is a granite boulder (H 0.8m) which is said to have reappeared there after being thrown into the sea.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Tobar Muire Holy well · Roisín Na Mainiach, Co. Galway
Mac Giollarnáth (1941, 36-7) gives the legend of the Virgin's appearance here in Famine times.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Tober Murry Holy well · Dubhachta, Co. Galway
A number of modern offerings are in evidence.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Tobermurry Holy well · Letterbrickaun, Co. Galway
According to local tradition, it was frequented on 15th August, 'Pattern Fair' day, until 'travelling people washed their clothes in it and it seized up'.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Tobernaseachtinyean Holy well · Cleggan, Co. Galway
Known locally as Tobar Na Seacht nlníon, it consists of a small natural spring enclosed by a roughly square drystone wall (L/Wth 2m) with an entrance at NW. There is an alcove in S wall containing modern offerings.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Tobernashaghtninneen Holy well · Muintir Eoghain Thoir, Co. Galway
The well is now completely overgrown and long disused but is said to have been frequented in November (pers. comm. T. Robinson).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact - Well of the Seven Daughters Holy well · Aillebrack, Co. Galway
Recorded by O'Flaherty in 1684 as 'a well in memory of the seaven [sic] daughters' (Hardiman 1846, 109), it consists of a small spring delimited by a low rectangular grass-covered wall (2m by 1.8m) opening to N. Modern offerings are visible.
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact