Although medieval Galway eventually became an almost independent Anglo-Norman city state, up until 1500 there was always a threat that the warlords of Connemara, north Galway, Roscommon and south Mayo might attack.
Claregalway Castle commanded the northern approaches to the city, and it is fitting a new book on the complex politics of this region will be launched within its walls tomorrow, Friday, April 19, at 8pm.
‘Anglicizing Tudor Connacht: The expansion of English rule in the lordships of Clanrickard and Hy Many,’ by Dr Joe Mannion, will be introduced by Steven Ellis, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Galway.
The volume deals with the troubled history of the Burkes of Clanrickard, and the O’Kellys of Hy Many during the expansion of English rule into the west of Ireland in the sixteenth century. It also recounts the fortunes of the more prominent Gaelic and English families in the south Connacht region, which in 1569 was transformed into the county of Galway as we know it today.
Claregalway Castle, a meticulously restored late medieval tower house, is open to all for the book launch.
