The Irish standard., 1907-11-16
A Peculiar Law Of tho Foreign Set.


were greatly averse to intercourse with
the native Irish. and as an instance a
bylaw which they enforced in 1918 for
bade any Of them receiving into their
houses at Christmas, Easter, nor no
feaste elles, any Of the Burkes. Mcwil-
liams, the Kellies. nor no cepte elles,
without license of the mayor and coun-
Gil, on payn to forfeit five pounds, that
neither o. nor Mac shall strutte ne
swaggere thro' the streets of Galway"
It's walls were built in 1870. or sixty
years later than those of Athenry. 1t
speedily became a center Of foreign
commerce. trading with Spain from the
port of Galway having taken place as
early as the thirteenth century.
1t is not dimcult to trace even today
in the features and complexion of a
goodly proportion Of the people Of Gal
way traces of Castillian blood. Some Of
the peculiar ornamental carvings on the
older buildings, with the courts enter
Ing into the streets. are also relics Of
Spanish architecture. The same may
be seen in Wexford and other ancient
towns in Ireland. Galway fought and
suffered much during the Cronwellian
war. and In 1881 was compelled to sur
render to the Wllliamite Gen. Ginckle.
who was then on his way to Limerick
after the battle Of Aughrirn.
Tho Origin Of "Lyneh-Law"
The celebrated James Lynch F'itz-
Stephen. from whom the term Lynch
law has by some been derived. was
mayor OF Galway in 1893. There Is a
tragic story connected with his name.
Lynch stephen was a large trader
with Spain. and sent his son on. a: voy-
age to bring back a cargo of wine. The
youth wasted the money intrusted to
him, but obtained credit from Span
ish merchant, who sent young rela-
tive back with him to obtain payment.
and incidentally establish a larger buei-
ness with Galway. AS the ship was ap-
preaching her destination young Lynch
Fitz Stephen, in order to conceal his
original wrongdoing, decided to COM
NIT still greater crime. and prevailed
upon the crew to help him throw the
young spaniard overheard: s' -:
The matter was kept a.secrst for a
considerable time until he was on the
eve. of marrying the daughter OF a
wealthy neighbor. when one Of the sea-
men, being at the point Of DEATH and
stricken with remorse told tho story to
the old mayor, or warden, father OF the
offender. The old stole insisted that his
son should have no favor under the law,
and he was speedily brought to trial.
found guilty and sentenced to axecu-
ton. the father being his Judge. Tho
youths mother and various other rel
atives we're clamorous for his respite,
but the old man was inexorable.sa.
The Mayor as His Sons Executionsr.
On the day Of execution he helped the
executioner remove the letters which
bound the unfortunate son. placed the
culprit between a priest and himself
and made his way by winding stairs to
the place Of execution. Securing the
rope which had been placed about the
criminals neck, tha father placed it
through an iron staple in the wall over
an arched window overlooking the
street, and after taking last embrace
Of his son, himself launched him into
eternity Although expecting death
from the fury Of the populace. his rig
Id sense OF Justice appealed to the
crowd and he remained untarmed, but
ever afterward secluded himself from
all society except that Of his stricken
family. The scene Of the occurrence, in
Shop Street, Galway, is still marked b-
a skull and cross-bones. in black mar
BILE, placed over a doorway, with the
motto Remember deathe-vaniti of
yaniti,. and all is but Vaniti. 1524.' A
tablet now marks the spot where young
Lynch Fitz- Stephen was executed.
st. Nicholas Church, erected in 1890
and, like the Old South Church of Bos-
ton. used as a stable by the British
troops in Cromwell's time; the Francis
can Church. built in the eighteenth
century, and portion Of tho town wallis.
as we'll as the Lyon Tower in Francis
Street, and the archway at the Quay.
are among the interesting sights Of
splendid modern building.
Galway. The Queens College IL a
Customs Of the cIaddagh.
The Claddagh. meaning sea shore
or strand" is chiefly Inhabited by tish.
crnnen who were formerly a distinct
community. not intermarrying with the
magistrate or mayor. who was known
as the king Of the Claddagh." The
community still has some singular Gus
toms. the bride receiving az her dowry