The colony inhabit a number of
low-thatched cottages apart from the town. They live mostly by fishing.
The Claddagh women dress in blue cloaks and red petticoats, and their
rings, which visitors procure as keepsakes, represent two hands holding
a harp. Hardman, in his "Rare History of Galway," wrote of them as
follows:--

"The colony, from time immemorial, has been ruled by one of their
own body, periodically elected, who is dignified with the title of
Mayor, regulates the community according to their own peculiar laws
and customs, and settles all their fishery disputes. His decisions
are so decisive and so much respected that the parties are seldom
known to carry their differences before a legal tribunal or to
trouble the civil magistrates."

[Illustration: _Photo, Lawrence, Dublin._ Arran Island. Claddagh.]

Salthill, to the west of the town, is a well-sheltered bathing-place,
with pleasant villas for visitors. The Queen's College will repay a
visit. At the bridge in the town excellent salmon fishing is to be had.
When the fish are making up the river for Corrib or Lough Mask the
sight is very interesting. From Galway the old Franciscan Monastery at
Claregalway may be driven to, or an excursion made down the bay to the
Arran Islands. They are twenty-seven miles from the harbour. There are
three principal islands, Innismore, Innismaan, and Innisheen, and
several small isles. Two centuries ago they were described as paved over
with stones, with wide openings between them for cattle to break their
legs, and the modern description by Hon. Emily Lawless does not far
differ.

The dress of the people is mostly white, homespun flannel "bawneens,"
and sandals of cowhide, fastened across the instep, which they call
"pampooties."

[Illustration: _Photo, Lawrence, Dublin._ Queen's College, Galway.]

[Illustration]

Connemara and Sligo.

The Great Southern and Western Railway line runs northward from Tuam to
Sligo. To the westward lies Iar Connaught and Connemara, the capital of
which is Clifden, standing high above Ardhear Bay. If we go direct from
Galway to Clifden we pass Oughterard and the ruins of Aughnanure Castle,
formerly the stronghold of "The furious O'Flahertys." From its Tower we
can get a view of Lough Corrib, with its famous Caislean-no-Circe, long
the lair of Grace O'Malley, of whom the western peasant may say she

"Fought, and sailed, and ruled,
And loved,