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Galway was originally known as ‘Streamstown’ as the river divided into a series of streams as it moved through the city. All that was to change in the mid-18th century when works were undertaken to improve drainage, to facilitate navigation and to provide waterpower for the many mills in Galway. The primary purpose in improving drainage was to reduce winter water levels in the areas of flooded land which was an ongoing problem.

Based on the McMahon Report, a survey involving the engineers of the Commissioners of Public Works in consultation with local businessmen and anglers, works were undertaken to improve drainage, to facilitate navigation, and to provide waterpower to the many mills in Galway. Waterpower was the bedrock on which the industry of Galway city was based, and by the mid-19th century there were some 30 mills in the city with associated headraces and tailraces which resulted in an intricate network of small waterways, which greatly added to the charm of Galway.