"We have to congratulate the Directors of the National Bank upon the spirit they displayed in erecting this new building. It afforded a great deal of employment during the summer, and it gives them a local habitation in Galway commensurate with the success of the great national enterprise, which has reflected so much credit on the country. We also wish Mr. Dennis, the intelligent and deservedly respected manager of the National Bank many happy years enjoyment in the splendid new mansion, which has been erected for him.

The plot of ground on the west side of Eyre Square, adjacent to the Provincial Bank was purchased from the proprietor, Mr.. Levingston for £500. The ground belonging to the directors consisted of a frontage in Eyre Square of 141 feet long, being a breadth of 115 feet. There could have been no better site possibly obtained in the town; and indeed the situation is beautiful, being in one of our greatest thoroughfares, in one of the handsomest squares in Ireland and within a hundred yards of the grand hotel which constitutes the terminus f the Midland Great Western Railway in Galway. The bank of Ireland is also situated in the square, so that our three money marts are very convenient to each other, especially the National and provincial, which are next door neighbors, exactly twelve months ago the building which we are noticing, and which is now approaching to completion, was commenced. W. F. Caldbeck, esq. of Dublin, was the architect, and the style might be described as and elaborate combination of Doric and Ionic. The building is three storeys high, with a frontage of 51 feet, and a breadth of seventy-two feet. The height is forty-four from the basement to the parapet. The first floor consists of one principal room designed for the bank, with a private office for the manager, a voucher's room a strong room for the close, water- closets for clerks etc. To the rare is the kitchen, and all the appurtenances of a first class dwelling house. The second floor consists of parlour, drawing room, study, storeroom, etc. The hall leading to this part of the house is very spacious, and the grand staircase is in itself a great work of art. The prospect from the rooms is most cheerful, commanding, as they do, a view of Eyre Square, of the Railway hotel, and Forster Street. The windows are of plate glass, and in proportion with the dimensions of the building. Indeed, it would be impossible to conceive for comfort and convenience, a better-designed suite of rooms than those composing the second floor of the new National Bank in Galway. The study, or library, which is in the centre of the parlour and drawing - room, is a perfect gem its way, and will be quite a luxury for the worthy manager of our local National Bank. The upper story is devoted to an elegant suite of bed room apartments, water closets, etc. to the rare is erected a coach house with stables stores etc. Altogether, the building considered as a dwelling house, apart from the banking accommodation which it affords, is one of the handsomest, most comfortable, and most cheerfully situated in the town while the offices are in perfect keeping with the entire design. It is entirely built of Galway limestone, lined in the most substantial manner with brick. The front is beautiful, and the workmanship of the Dorio pillars, which support porticos at both entrances - the hall door and office door - are admirably executed, and impart a most imposing appearance to the exterior. The National Bank will, therefore, in future, be one of the principal ornamentations of the town; and owing to its situation, so close to the Railway Terminue, all visitors coming to the city of the Tribes must necessarily see it. The cost of the building will, we understand, be about £3000. About Christmas, we believe, it will be used for its proper purpose."

Thus reported "The Galway Vindicator" of October 3rd 1867 on the new bank.

Our photograph, taken just a few years later, shows the building referred to which is now the 19, Eyre Square branch of the Bank of Ireland.