County Galway

County Galway, in Gaelic Contae na Gaillimhe, is located in the west of Ireland southern of Mayo and north of Clare and is part of the province of Connacht. Aside from Galway City you will discover County Galway to be a rugged nation side, home of the Na Beanna Beola range of mountains,
Na Sléibhte Mhám Toirc and the low mountains of Sliabh Echtghe Galway has among the biggest Gaelic speaking populations in Ireland.

There are two major genealogy proving ground in County Galway. The Galway Family History Society (West) found in Galway City and the East Galway Family History Society found in Woodford. The most usual surnames for County Galway are Kelly, Burke, Connelly, Joyce, McDonagh, Walsh, Fahy, Manion, Flaherty, Murphy, Connolly, Keane, King, Forde, Connor, Lyons, Mullin, Egan, Kenny, and Toole.

When planning your journey to Galway it is extremely suggested you plan to go to one or more of the enjoyable filled festivals held each year in Galway. Try the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival held in September. I think the name discusses this celebration. Connemara Bog Week at the end of May is a weeklong celebration of everything Irish with music, art, hiking and cycling the Galway country side. For the arts the major choices are the Galway Arts Festival held in July, The Clifden Arts Festival in September and Féile Chomórtha Joe Éinniú - The Joe Heaney Commemorative Festival of Traditional Singing and Music in May. Each of these festivals feature traditional music and art along with poetry and a celebration of Irish culture.

No trip to Ireland would be complete without a browse through to a castle or old abbey. Galway provides lots of options for her visitors. Clifden Castle, in Clifden (of course) is a revival design castle developed in the 18th century.

As you can see if you prepare a journey to County Galway you will not do not have for things to do. Genealogy research, festivals, historical websites, rugged country side and outdoor leisure, Galway provides everything. Study and strategy well ahead of time and you will reconnect to your Irish roots and have a trip of to be remembered and cherished for a life time. Erin go bragh.
Ireland, Irish, genealogy, household history, Galway, tourism

This post was given you by William Martin, genealogist at  Irish Coat of Arms and Spanish Coat of Arms.

Reilly Coat of Arms

The name O'Reilly and its variations Reilly and Riley come from the Gaelic O Raghallaigh, which meant gregarious. They were from the Kingdom of Beffny which was part of Counties Cavan and Longford where they were long the leading family. The O'Reilly's were very strong supporters of the church. Cathal O Raghallaigh Prince of Beffny founded the Lough Oughter Monestary in 1237. There were many O'Rilley Abbotts and several Bishops between the 11^th and 16^th century.

Provided by Wm M. Martin, webmaster at http://irishcoatofarms.org/ for Spanish names visit http://spanishcoatofarms.com/