Lynch's Castle, Galway

Lynch's Castle, Galway

Lynch was one of the powerful merchant "tribes" who ruled in Galway from 1450 until 1690. The Lynch family lived in the fortified townhouse that stands today at the corner of Shop and Abbeygate Streets. Until 1690, the Lynches provided 80 mayors of the city.

In 1690 William of Orange and his Protestant Army defeated Catholic James II in the Battle of the Boyne. All Catholic lands, including the Lynch's Castle, were confiscated.

But the dark story of Lynch's castle starts well before the Battle of the Boyne. One of the mayors, James Lynch, had a son, Walter. In 1493 young Walter murdered a Spanish sailor for winking at a woman. Some say Irish girls had always fancied Spanish sailors. Perhaps Walter overreacted a bit.

It fell to James, as Mayor, to punish Walter. To keep things simple, he sentenced Walter to death. James was prevented from taking Walter from the Castle to a place of execution by a mob. Walter was a popular boy. So James took him upstairs roped him up and launched him from a window. This was the first "lynch" mob.

The building was extended in 1808 and in 1930 it became a branch of Allied Irish Banks. It is four story high with embellished windows, gargoyles, and ornamental cornices. The Lynch coat of arms is on the facade, together with that of Henry VII and the Kildare Fitzgeralds.

The ground floor may be visited during business hours.

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Lynch's Castle on Map

Sight Name: Lynch's Castle
Sight Location: Galway, Ireland (See walking tours in Galway)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Galway, Ireland

Create Your Own Walk in Galway

Create Your Own Walk in Galway

Creating your own self-guided walk in Galway is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Galway Introduction Walking Tour

Galway Introduction Walking Tour

Galway is located on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay. It was in the old Kingdom of Connacht. Galway grew from a settlement around a fortification established by the King of Connacht in 1124.

In 1484 a Charter of Mayoralty was granted to the first mayor of Galway, Peirce Lynch, by Richard III of England. Lynch was one of the "Tribes of Galway" that ruled the town...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Salthill Seaside Walking Tour

Salthill Seaside Walking Tour

If you fancy a quality break by the sea, while in Galway, you don't need to go far. The small seaside spot called Salthill is only 3km away from the downtown shops, clubs and pubs, and you can get here on foot easily.

Speaking of pubs, there's no shortage of them in Salthill either. In fact, one of the local waterholes – O'Connors – bills itself as the first singing pub in...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles