On the 1820 map of Galway drawn by Logan for Hardiman�s History of Galway, the small dock at the end of Long Walk is referred to simply as �The Dock�. A note on the map refers to �Long Walk leading to Eyre�s Docks, 1300 feet�. The area known as �New Docks� was then either a mud berth or a sand berth with no quay as yet built. By the time the first Ordnance map of the city was published in 1838, the �New Docks� had been built and is still known by that name today. This new facility brought a lot more business into Galway Port.

In 1872, a paddle steamer named �The Citie of the Tribes� began service as the first tender between Galway and the Aran Islands. She was replaced in 1893 when the �S.S.Duras� made her first trip to Aran. This ship, which you can see in the foreground of our photograph, was commissioned by the Galway Steamboat Company as a passenger /cargo vessel and was also used as a tug assisting sailing ships in and out of Galway port. She made three sailings a week to the islands and from 1898 onwards, during the Summer, she made three sailings a week to Ballyvaughan. The single fare to Aran was three shillings for saloon and 2/6 for deck passengers. The fare to Ballyvaughan was two bob and bicycles were free.

In July 1912, the �S.S. Dun Aengus� replaced the �Duras� which was kept for towage and relief works until1921, when she was sold out of Galway and had a number of owners before she was broken up in Denmark in 1954.

In the background of our picture you can see Hynes� Yard. Hynes were major importers into Galway and had the advantage of having ships dock virtually at their door. They advertised for �Timber, iron , coal , salt , slates , bricks , glass , tiles , lead , rainwater and general castings , grates , ranges , sanitary appliances , builders� ironmongery , plumbers� requisites , guano and artificial manures , petroleum , enamelled slate and metal mantelpieces , nails , oils and colours , house furnishings , felt , Nobel�s high explosives, Millers Safes , basic slag , agricultural implements including ploughs, harrows , cultivators , threshers , slicers , pulpers , winnowers , root cutters , mowing and reaping machines�. Their yard went through to Merchant�s Road, and they had a retail shop and offices in Augustine Street on the site which is now occupied by the Hynes Building.

Most of the houses and buildings we see were built in the mid- nineteenth century. Some were originally part of the Burbidge or Chambers Estates. There were a number of buildings to the right (out of picture) the first of which was occupied by Patrick O�Flaherty�s pub, later Heavey�s pub and later still Brennan�s Bar. Next to that was Patrick �Gas Tank� Flaherty�s, then Margaret Keane�s and in the corner house was Theresa Skeuse. Among those who lived in Saint Nicholas� Street at the time were Tim O�Shea, Annie McNally , John Finnegan , Francis MacAllister and the Lally Sisters. Those who lived on the other side were Jeremiah Ramford, Daniel Doherty , Thomas Kilmartin , Daniel Lyons and Michael King. The docks area is undergoing dramatic changes at the moment with the removal of the huge oil tanks in preparation for the Volvo Yacht Race, and will surely be a lot more attractive now.

Our sincere thanks to Jonathan Margetts of Claddagh Gold Jewellers in Quay Street for this photograph. It is taken from a glass plate negative that he found when clearing out an attic recently, and is proof positive, if proof be needed, that we should all be careful and watchful in case there are such treasures in our own attics.

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