To mark Eyre Square’s 300th anniversary, a new limited edition book on the history of the city’s central point is about to be launched.
Eyre Square 300 - Aspects of its History by Brendan McGowan of the Galway City Museum and the Renmore History Society, and with a foreword by Galway Advertiser chairperson Ronnie O’Gorman, will be launched this evening at 6pm. The guest speaker will be Tom Kenny.
The book, featuring images of the Square from the 19th century, details how it was transformed from a green area outside the mediaeval town walls to the central public space in the city. It also focuses on the monuments which have adorned the Square such as the Crimean Canons, the Lord Dunkellin monument, and the statue of Pádraic Ó Conaire.
Eyre Square 300 also includes fascinating first hand accounts by visitors to Galway, such as William Makepeace Thackery, Henry Inglis, Edith Sommerville and William Wilde.
“There were many beautiful images of the square and some fascinating first hand accounts which were out of reach to the general public,” says McGowan. “My aim with this publication was to make these rare images and accounts accessible in an attractive format.”
Deputy director of the Galway City Museum, Breandán Ó hEaghra, believes McGowan has surpassed this ambition.
“What Brendan has achieved,” he said, “is to produce a book which will be treasured by Galwegians. Eyre Square is probably the best known town square in the entire country and has been the focus of both controversy and celebration throughout the years.”
Eyre Square 300 will be available at the launch and afterwards from Charlie Byrnes, Easons, and the Kitchen Café at the Museum for €12.
