Lynch Memorial Window, Galway
Adjoining the graveyard of the Collegiate Church of San Nicholas of Myra, surmounting a relief of skull and bones and a memorial plaque explaining the event, is the window used to hang a man in 1493. James Lynch FitzStephen was mayor at the time. He belonged to the "tribe" Lynch, which had provided Galway with eighty mayors.
Thirteen other families or "tribesmen" formed the ruling class in Galway. James had a son. His son's name was Walter. Walter had a temper. Apparently it was a jealous temper. One day in a jealous rage, he killed a young Spanish sailor over a woman. Justice needed to be done. James sentenced his son, Walter, to death.
James tried to remove Walter to the scaffold, but a mob surrounded his house, Lynch's Castle, and prevented him from doing so. No problem, James took Walter to a high window and hanged Walter himself (thanks, Dad). Ironically, the "lynch" mob was trying to prevent a lynching. Sadly this did not become a custom, lynchings have proliferated..
After this extraordinary event the mayor retired. But he did not fade into oblivion. He got his memorial.
Thirteen other families or "tribesmen" formed the ruling class in Galway. James had a son. His son's name was Walter. Walter had a temper. Apparently it was a jealous temper. One day in a jealous rage, he killed a young Spanish sailor over a woman. Justice needed to be done. James sentenced his son, Walter, to death.
James tried to remove Walter to the scaffold, but a mob surrounded his house, Lynch's Castle, and prevented him from doing so. No problem, James took Walter to a high window and hanged Walter himself (thanks, Dad). Ironically, the "lynch" mob was trying to prevent a lynching. Sadly this did not become a custom, lynchings have proliferated..
After this extraordinary event the mayor retired. But he did not fade into oblivion. He got his memorial.
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Lynch Memorial Window on Map
Sight Name: Lynch Memorial Window
Sight Location: Galway, Ireland (See walking tours in Galway)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Galway, Ireland (See walking tours in Galway)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Galway, Ireland
Create Your Own Walk in Galway
Creating your own self-guided walk in Galway is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Salthill Seaside Walking Tour
If you fancy a quality break by the sea, while in Galway, you don't need to go far. The small seaside spot called Salthill is only 3km away from the downtown shops, clubs and pubs, and you can get here on foot easily.
Speaking of pubs, there's no shortage of them in Salthill either. In fact, one of the local waterholes 鈥� O'Connors 鈥� bills itself as the first singing pub in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Speaking of pubs, there's no shortage of them in Salthill either. In fact, one of the local waterholes 鈥� O'Connors 鈥� bills itself as the first singing pub in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Galway Introduction Walking Tour
Galway is located on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay. It was in the old Kingdom of Connacht. Galway grew from a settlement around a fortification established by the King of Connacht in 1124.
In 1484 a Charter of Mayoralty was granted to the first mayor of Galway, Peirce Lynch, by Richard III of England. Lynch was one of the "Tribes of Galway" that ruled the town... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
In 1484 a Charter of Mayoralty was granted to the first mayor of Galway, Peirce Lynch, by Richard III of England. Lynch was one of the "Tribes of Galway" that ruled the town... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles