The Garra Glas (The green field or green garden) was an area of the Claddagh which corresponds to where the Fire Station is today. Our photograph was taken in the 1930’s when things were changing in the area …. the old Claddagh houses were being gradually knocked down to make way for those that are there today. Kerbstones were being laid down to frame the newly laid road surface.

This photograph of the main entrance to Galway Gaol (facing the Salmon Weir Bridge) was taken in 1903. It was an imposing and intimidating building. The execution chamber was just over the main gate, and many prisoners perished there.

What we know as Salthill Park was originally a large field with a small lake. It was landscaped in 1907. In 1925, the Salthill Development Organisation (SDO) asked the Corporation to clean up a cesspool there, but that took some years. In 1924, three councillors, Mr. Bailey, Eyre Square, Martin Cooke and John Coogan bought an aeroplane hangar for the Urban Council for £400. It had been used by the RAF in Oranmore, and was re-erected it in the park. It was called the Pavilion Ballroom, but everyone knew it as 'the Hangar'.

In the early 1950’s the chain of shops owned by Woolworths was expanding, but they did experience some difficulty establishing a branch in Galway. It appears some councillors and retailers resisted the move, but after several failed attempts, ‘Woolies’ (as they became known), acquired the former site of the old Royal Hotel on the Square. They knocked the hotel and put up a purpose built retail store. As the day of the opening approached, local interest became intense.