The major Gaelic families of the county were O’Halloran, O’Daly, O’Kelly, O’Flaherty, O’Malley, O’Madden, O’Fallon, O’Naughton, O’Mullaly and O’Hynes.

The first inhabitants in the Galway area arrived over 7000 years ago. Shell middens indicate the existence of people as early as 5000 BC.

The county originally comprised several kingdoms and territories which predate the formation of the county in 1568 AD. These kingdoms included Aidhne, Uí Maine, Maigh Seóla, and Máenmaige. The region known as Connemara retains a distinct identity within the county.

From early times, the town of Galway was a prominent trading port. It was destroyed on several occasions by local raids, fire, and by the Vikings.

Following the Norman invasion in 1169 the entire Kingdom of Connacht, including Galway, was granted to the Norman noble Richard de Burgo. The de Burgos fortified the town of Galway and established it as a major center trading with Spain and…