This remarkable panorama of the Claddagh was taken about one hundred years ago. In the distance you can see Long Walk, the spire of St. Nicholas' Church and towards the left, the industrial chimney that was part of Burke's Distillery. Just about visible are a large number of masts of moored boats belonging to the Claddagh fishermen.

This remarkable panorama of the Claddagh was taken about one hundred years ago. In the distance you can see Long Walk, the spire of St. Nicholas' Church and towards the left, the industrial chimney that was part of Burke's Distillery. Just about visible are a large number of masts of moored boats belonging to the Claddagh fishermen.

The wall on the right was like a seawall that ran between the village and the 'swamp', which was a very wet marshy area running down to the seashore. It was later filled in when it became the city dump, and the wall was made much higher. In the fifties, the dump was closed down and covered, and converted into playing pitches, and called South Park. To Galwegians, it is known only as The Swamp.

The main feature of this picture is the coast 'road', which was really just a rough track bearing the marks of many cartwheels. It was properly surfaced in the twenties. The three women are walking on the 'sidewalk' which looks a lot safer than the road. The lady on the right wears a Claddagh cloak, and the others have on Galway shawls.

This is just one of the images and artefacts of the Claddagh which will feature in a major exhibition in the Galway City Museum which will open on Monday 16th of April. One entire floor of the museum is dedicated to material relating to the Claddagh from the post Famine period to the early 20th century. The first floor will house an exhibition on medieval Galway, while the ground floor will tell the story of contemporary Galway, with particular emphasis on the role of the arts in the city. It is wonderful to see that the museum is opening at last, so I hope you visit it in droves�and remember, there is no charge.

On Monday next, April 16th, The Galway Archeological & Historical Society will host a lecture by poet Gerard Hanberry on "The Wilde Connection ---Sir William Wilde in Galway and Mayo". Gerard will provide a fresh insight into the life and mindset of this remarkable man. The lecture will be in the Harbour Hotel at 8pm and all are welcome.

The Old Galway Society will host an illustrated lecture on the subject of Old Salthill tonight in the Convent of Mercy, Newtownsmyth tonight at 8.30pm. The speaker will be Tom Kenny and all are welcome.

Please forward any queries/comments to oldgalway@kennys.ie