The Hall of the Red Earl - Halla an Iarla Rua
Dúchas na Gaillimhe-Galway Civic Trust, is pleased to present The Hall of the Red Earl, Halla an Iarla Rua. As the earliest surviving settlement structure within the medieval walls of Galway, it is one of the city's most significant archaeological landmarks.
The historical importance of the hall stems from its association with the establishment of the town of Galway in the 13th century by the Anglo-Norman de Burgo family.
The Hall of the Red Earl was a key municipal building used to collect taxes, dispense justice and host banquets. In essence, it acted as the medieval equivalent of a tax office, court house and town hall.
Galway: City of the Tribes - Gaillimh: Cathair na dTreabh
By successfully establishing a foothold in Galway, the de Burgos paved the way for the famous 'Tribes of Galway' to do likewise. The 'Tribes' were merchant families descended from the Normans, who had conquered England in 1066. The 'Tribes' came to prosperity in Galway by exploiting lucrative trade routes between Galway and continental Europe.
The fourteen families, Athy, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, D'Arcy, Deane, ffont, ffrench, Joyce, Kirwan, Lynch, Martin, Morris and Skerrett, accumulated great wealth and power and their names became synonymous with medieval Galway.
Discovery & Excavation - Fionnachtain agus Tochailt
The remains of the original de Burgo Hall were uncovered in 1997 when work began on a proposed extension to The Custom House. The hall was originally a church-like structure with large, round headed windows and opposing entrances at its south-eastern end.
What can be seen today are the buttressed walls of the hall while the centrally positioned row of octagonal columns served to support the roof. Outside the south-western wall is a medieval cobbled laneway. One of the most notable elements of the site is a large cruciform feature which was an anvil base for ironworks constructed in the later medieval period when the hall had become dilapidated and unroofed.
It is thought the hall was abandoned towards the end of the 15th century when the 14 'tribe' families of Galway usurped the de Burgos' influence over the town. The hall was reported to be in a ruinous state by the middle of the 16th century. The 1651 map of Galway shows it as such.
Presentation of the Hall - An Halla A Chur i Láthair
Due to the significance of the discovery, the Office of Public Works (OPW) redesigned the proposed extension to the Custom House to allow for the preservation and presentation of the Hall of the Red Earl.
The site is now housed within glass panelling, complete with a viewing walkway and floodlighting. Interpretive panels explain the history of the site.
During the excavation more than 1,100 artefacts including clay pipes, a gold cufflink and an incomplete human skull were uncovered.
Many of the artefacts have been replicated and are displayed in two exhibition cases. Three works of art related to the excavation were commissioned by the OPW and are also on display. These include an oversized shard of pottery, a ceramic wine bottle and a stylised glass overlay of the site.
Timeline- Amlíne
1230: Richard de Burgo came to Galway in a bid to control Connacht, but was repelled by the native O' Flaherty and O'Connor clans.
1232: Richard de Burgo seized control of the river crossing, which would later provide entry to the town of Galway. He built a castle on the site of the captured dún or fort.
1233: Castle was retaken by Felim O'Connor.
1235: Richard de Burgo returned with a large army and defeated the O'Connors.
1270: Richard's son, Walter, embarked on a process of wall-building to secure the early town of Galway.
1271: Walter died in the castle and was succeeded by his son Richard, the Red Earl. It is believed the Hall of the Red Earl was built around this time to replace the castle .
1484: Galway granted mayoral status. De Burgo power waned as the 'Tribes' came to power. The Hall was likely to have been abandoned at this time.
1556: Hall now in a ruinous state.
16th Century: A cruciform anvil base constructed as part of an iron smelting works.
1651: The buildings of the illustrious Lord Richard de Burgo' depicted in ruinous state on Galway Pictorial Map.
18th century: County Courthouse built on site.
1820: Custom House building replaced Courthouse.
1940s: Present Custom House built.
1997: Hall of the Red Earl uncovered.
1999: Excavation completed.
2001: Extension to Custom House incorporating the excavation was opened.
2010: Dúchas na Gaillimhe - Galway Civic Trust present the Hall of the Red Earl as a visitor attraction.
The Hall of the Red Earl is open to the public Monday to Friday 09.30 - 16.45
