The area of Galway City, known locally known as ‘Back West’, has traditionally been overlooked as people flocked to better-known streets. But in recent years, the West has been developing its own unique identity. A new walking tour explores its rich history, including its maritime tradition and its literary connections, taking in some of its eclectic bars and restaurants. BERNIE NÍ FHLATHARTA went along to discover more.

Anyone who loves guessing games will appreciate the fun in trying to figure out what a square stone pit with an aperture on the wall above it was used for in Galway city over 150 years ago.

This is just one of the questions asked by Brian Nolan on his new walking tour in the West End of the city.

Nobody on our tour knew the answer. In fact, I doubt if many local people know or have even noticed this now railed-off structure along by the canal. Well, maybe the name of its location, Pump Lane might provide a clue.

Even then, our walking group couldn’t imagine what it had been used for. But Brian, one of the city’s most popular tour guides takes great satisfaction in explaining how local people used to do their laundry there, using the velocity of the excess water from the lock-gate on the canal. In other words, an outdoor washing machine but with a bit more elbow grease required!

The information imparted by Brian during the hour-long (slightly more sometimes) tour is educational and entertaining. His passion for the city – and for local history – makes Galway’s streets come alive, allowing participants to imagine what they were like in previous eras, even back to medieval times.

It’s hard to believe that this walking tour is the first in the city’s West End, given the social and maritime history of the Claddagh, the history of the Eglinton canal, which is such a focal landmark there, and the area’s literary and cultural connections.

In recent times, the area west of Wolfe Tone Bridge has been innovative in promoting itself and, these days, the West End brand is synonymous with a bohemian lifestyle. It’s where to go for al fresco dining, to hear different genres of music in pubs, or for its unique shops.

Brian Nolan has been doing walking tours in the city for the past 14 years and, following a casual chat in Mick Taylor’s pub on Dominick Street, with its owner, Johnny Duggan and local resident, Lisa Regan, who promotes this area, he created a new tour — the first Galway walking tour outside the city walls.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App

Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.

Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.

Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite  HERE.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.