The City of the Tribes

Rising from the annals of every great city is a story of such singular eminence that it serves to define the very character of the town. For Galway the story is that of the fourteen tribes that led the city to a golden age of prosperity and international recognition. Indeed, Galway is known to this day as The City of the Tribes, though it has been more than three hundred and fifty years since the control of those illustrious merchant families was irrecoverably smashed by the armies of Cromwell.

The story of the Tribes begins in earnest with the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland during the late 12th century. Among the invaders were those of the powerful de-Burgo family. The de-Burgos took a keen interest in the province of Connaught (Connacht), and with the consent of Henry II of England they wrestled the land from the natives. On the wings of the de-Burgo's claim, many families of Norman descent swept into the area. In a short time, fourteen of these families distinguished themselves as merchants. As recorded in Hardiman's History of Galway, those families bore the following surnames: Athy, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, D'Arcy, Deane, Ffont, Ffrench, Joyes, Kirwan, Lynch, Martin, Morris and Skerrett.

Profiting from one of the best seaports in Western Europe, the families accumulated such immense wealth and fame that they claimed complete control over civic affairs. In 1484, Richard III granted the families a charter to rule without the interference of the de-Burgos, who were prone to frequent revolts against the crown. The treaty also gave the families control over the ecclesiastic affairs of the city. Thus, the merchants had supreme and unfaltering control of Galway for nearly the next two hundred years.

The Tribes were a highly distinctive group. They thought of themselves as English nobility and were intensely loyal to the crown. This would later prove problematic because of their allegiance to the Catholic Church! Furthermore, their claims to nobility led them into utter exclusivity, and they refused to marry outside of their tight-knit group. Despite their closely woven and independent nature, visitors were often in awe of the remarkable character of Galway's inhabitants. As recounted in Hardiman's History, visitors described the Galwegians to be kind to strangers, hospitable and of a great public spirit – this, in addition to their uncommonly refined manner of living.

Partly because of their genuine loyalty to the crown, and partly due to England's distraction with the Wars of the Roses, Galway experienced many years of near autonomy – recalling the splendour of the ancient Greek city-states. Flourishing trade with Spain and the West Indies resulted in Galway being recognised as one of the finest cities in the West. Indeed, it is said that a traveler, in the time of Galway's finest hour, once asked a native where in Galway Ireland might preside! Nevertheless, all ages must pass, and the rise and fall of the Stuarts in England would signal Galway's fall from grace.

Because of their royalist tendencies, the Tribes of Galway opposed the removal of Charles I from the throne. The Tribes proclivity to take the opposing side in these matters eventually led to Cromwell taking the city. Caught in a difficult situation, the merchant families would neither defend the city from Cromwell, nor would they join the onslaught, this led to Cromwell's forces famously assigning them the derogatory name 'Tribes of Galway', which was later adopted by the merchants in defiance. After the city's fall the merchants were deprived of their property and their right to govern. With the Restoration they briefly regained hope of retrieving their lost glory, only to meet a sour disappointment with William and Mary ascending the throne shortly after.

While the Tribes of Galway never regained the grandeur they once had, they went onward, having influence in the city as late as the 19th century. But what remains so utterly remarkable, is that Galway is still 'The City of the Tribes' in many ways. It would not be as it is, if it were not for them. The 14 merchant families of Galway forged the city as we know it. And though we may be unable to peer into the celebrated Galway as it appeared at the merchant’s height of power, we can be sure that their story will forever be delivered to us from the chasms of history, and their contribution will not be forgotten.

Jeremy M. Usher
November 2000