Galway City Museum - Collections On Loan

Collections On Loan

In addition to the permanent collection, Galway City Museum also retains on loan from a number of sources;

• Civic Collection:

The Civic Sword and Mace. The sword dates from the Charter of King James I, which gave authority in 1610 for the carrying of such a weapon before the Mayor. Edward Eyre, Mayor of Galway, presented the mace, manufactured in Dublin in 1710, to the town of Galway in 1712.

The Daly Collection, which includes a twenty-four paintings and four sculptures on loan to Galway City Council from the estate of the late Peter Francis Daly. It includes works from artists such as John Constable, Paul Henry, Sir John Lavery, Roderic O’Connor, Walter Federick Osborne, George Russell, Leo Whelan and Jack Butler Yeats.

A rare copy of the 1651 pictorial map, printed by the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society in 1901.

A statue of Pádraic Ó Conaire (1882-1928), carved by Albert Power. The statue was relocated to the museum from its previous location of Eyre Square, Galway.

Royal Arms of George III, dated to the early nineteenth century, it was formerly in the Town Court House, now the Town Hall Theatre, Galway.

• National Museum of Ireland:

A collection of objects primarily from the Galway City Excavations Project 1987-1998. The loan includes 9 coins (Philip II Spanish; two Elizabeth I Irish 1601 pennies; James II Irish gun money 1s or 6d; William III Irish 1696 half penny; George III Irish 1805 half penny; James II Irish gun money 1690; half penny token Dominick French 1664; George II Irish 1741 half penny); pottery (Saintonge, Portuguese faience and Meridia Ware); wine bottles and artillery (cannon ball and musket shot).

• Dominican Order of Nuns, Galway:

Consists of a collection of church silverware and textiles from the eighteenth century, which includes chalices, candlesticks, a host box, an altar frontal and a reliquary casket of St. Ursula made by Richard Joyce. Joyce is popularly acclaimed to be the original designer of the Claddagh ring.

• Sisters of Mercy, Galway:

A chalice and a patton dating to the seventeenth century and silver cutlery dating to the nineteenth century. The cutlery was given to the order by Fr. Daly, a popular figure of nineteenth century Galway, as a compensation for the mismanagement of convent funds. The silverware had been originally presented to Fr. Daly for his contribution in developing the town, such as bringing railway to Galway.

• Others:

A variety of objects on loan from individual members of the public

The total loan collection of Galway City Museum is approximately 90 items.