Galway is a maritime county in west central Ireland in the province of
Connaught Province, bounded on the north by
Mayo, northeast and east by
Roscommon and
County Offaly, southeast by
County Tipperary, south by
County Clare and Galway Bay, and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Its area is 2372 square miles.
It is the second largest of the counties of Ireland. The coast is broken by deep inlets, bays and harbors, which are bordered by rugged cliffs. Offshore are the islands of Inishshark, Inishbofin, Gorumna, Lettermullan, Croagnakeela, and adjoining islets. Wild moorland districts are found in the west, containing the Maamturk Mountains. Clifden is the chief town of the district of Connemara. Galway is the county town. The principal rivers are the Shannon, Suck, Bunowen, Grange, Abbert, Clare, Corrib, and Ballynahinch.
The monastery of St Jorlath's was built in the 6th century. The castle at Tuam was built in 1161 by Rod O'Connor, the onetime king of Ireland.
