Eyre Square

Square in Galway

Medieval markets in ancient Galway were held on The Green, an expansive open area outside the town gates. In 1631, this space was officially enclosed, with tree plantings and a wooden fence marking its boundaries.

The section of this enclosed land that eventually became Eyre Square was formally gifted to the city in 1710 by Edward Eyre, the Mayor of Galway. Edward and his family had benefited from the reassignment of lands and assets following Oliver Cromwell’s conquest of Ireland, solidifying the area as Eyre Square.

The square was later renamed Meyrick Square in 1801 after General Meyrick enclosed it with a stone wall. During the 19th century, the park underwent redevelopment in the Georgian architectural style. In the 1960s, a complete reconstruction of the park was initiated.

In 1965, the square was officially renamed “John F. Kennedy Memorial Park” in honor of the U.S. President, who had visited Galway and delivered a speech in the square on June 29, 1963. A monument by sculptor Albert O’ Toole commemorating JFK’s visit was erected the same year.

Eyewitnesses to history in the square include two cast iron cannons from the Crimean War, a statue of writer Padraic O’Connaire, and the Quincentennial Fountain, constructed by Eamon O’Doherty in 1984. The fountain notably features a depiction of the Galway Hooker, a traditional fishing and cargo vessel of the coastal city.

The Eyre Square appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Galway!

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