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Chapter 1 Chapter 1
Return to table of contents Old map of Galway |
This curious document, of which there are but two copies now known, with certainty, to be extant, [t3] is composed of nine separate sheets, and is six feet six inches broad, and four feet six inches high; it is surrounded by a border, four inches deep, the top margin is headed by the following inscription
1.
PRELUDIUM OPERIS --
On the first sheet, in the top margin, between the first and second
effigies
of Charles II. are engraved the armorial bearings, 1. of England and the
Saxons,
On the second sheet, in the top margin, between the second and third
effigies of Charles II. are engraved the armorial bearings, 1. of Munster,
On the third sheet, in the top margin, between the third and fourth effigies
of Charles II. are engraved four shields, without arms; under the first,
this inscription,
In the right and left margins of the map, are
contained the armorial bearings, but without names, of twenty-four
distinguished families, connected with and allied to those of Galway, with
the following inscription at each side;
The bottom margin is divided into five compartments, in the first, are contained the armorial bearings of the families of Bareth, Bermingham, Burke, Butler, Crena and Penreice, with this inscription underneath:
Aspice conspicuos, quos Galvia justa, recepit,
Hinc illi nomen civis et omen, habent. [u]
In the second, the armorial bearings of the families of Deane, Joyce, Martine and Skereth, with this inscription over, Antiqua quorumdam Galviae stirpium insignia, and the following underneath:
Haec sunt quorumdam praeclara insignia Galvae,
Antiqua, obsequio facta serene tuo. [v]
In the third, the armorial bearings of the families of Athey, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, Deane, Dorsie, Fonte, Frinch, Joyce, Kirowan, Linche, Martine, Morech and Skereth, with the following verses underneath:
Septem ornant montes Romam, septem ostia Nilum,
Tot rutilis stellis splendet in axe Polus.
Galvia, Polo Niloque bis aequas, Roma Conachtae;
Bis septem illustres, has colit illa tribus.
Bis urbis septem defendunt moenia turres;
Intus, et ex duro est marmore quoeque domus;
Bis septem portae sunt, castra et culmina circum:
Per totidem pontūm permeat unda vias.
Principe bis septem fulgent altaria templo,
Qucevis patronae est ara dictata suo
Et septem, sacrata Deo, caenobia patrum,
Faeminei et sexus, tot pia tecea tenet. [w3]
In the fourth, four several armorial bearings of the Lynch family, headed with the inscription, Diversae familiae Lynchaeorum, a prima origine propagatae, and followed by this distich:
And in the fifth, the armorial bearings of the families of Fallone, Labarth, Nolan, Quinne, Tully and Porte, with the following inscription. underwritten:Hic Lynchaeorum bene prima ab origine notas,
Diversas stirpes nobilis ecce domus. [x3]
Having finished the margins, the body of the map next claims attention. -- The words, Carolus Rex, appear on the top of each of the three upper sheets, under which follows the title of the map, in large capitals,Conscripti cives hi gaudent legibus urbis,
Quos falcit et fratres connubialis amor. [y3]
On one side are the following verses:
Terra, fretum, populi, queque aspicis undique late,
Sunt tibi, sint generi, Carole, fida tuo. [a4]
And on the other,
Plus ultra tibi, quam tabule, vel continet orbis,
Que spheram superant suspice, nosce. [b4]
Next to these are the
arms of Scotland, supported by two figures, under
one of which is inscribed,
Under the arms of England are the modern arms of Galway, an
antique gally, with this inscription over it,
Galvia, quam colimus vestra est, jam respice pictam;
Nos quoque sacramus nostraque nos tibi. [c4]
To the right of
these, are placed the most ancient arms of the town, with these words over
them,
Prima tuis proavis dedimus primordia nostre
Urbis et infantes nosque, serene tibi [d4]
And to the left, are the more recent arms of the town, with these
words over,
Flosque juventutis sub te crescentis abunde, [e4]
Est tuus, atque status, tempora, jara, bona.
There are two tables of reference to the map, [f4]
THE FIRST, by seventyseven figures and several letters, to all matters
within the town; with this title,
THE SECOND, a reference to all matters outside the walls, divided into east
and west, one by fifty, the other by forty-nine figures, and entitled,
From the delineation just concluded, and the description already given, a tolerably accurate idea may be formed of the former opulent state and magnificence of Galway; adorned with superb and highly decorated buildings and surrounded by every requisite for security and defence, which either art could suggest or wealth command, it was universally acknowledged to be the most perfect city in the kingdom: while its rich inhabitants stood conspicuously distinguished for their commercial pursuits, public zeal, and high independence of spirit, all of which will be found exemplified, in the most satisfactory manner, throughout the following pages.Illuc enim ascenderunt tribus, tribus domini,
Testimonium Israle , ad aonfitendum nomen domini.
But these facts, however well authenticated, must appear extraordinary to those now acquainted with the town, and when contrasted with its present very different state and appearance, it would not be at all surprising if they should be pronounced as altogether incredible. The lofty walls, castles, edifices and towers, once its pride and ornament, are long since crumbled into dust, the much boasted spirit of enterprize and independance of its former inhabitants, lie dead or dormant in their descendants, and nothing now remains to mark their former grandeur, but the spacious ruins and remnants of a few splendid mansions, which serve but to keep alive the melancholy remembrance of what their founders once had been. The causes of these revolutions and decay will be more properly explained in another place, the reader will therefore, for the present, have to return to an earlier era, in order to trace the gradual progress of the town, from its commencement, to the period and state in which it has been already displayed; and to follow it from thence, through all its various vicissitudes and changes, to the present day.
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