Turning your back on the Spanish Arch, you can head across past the large building towards Jurys Hotel. Set in the wall you can see Blake's Castle - the residence of the Blake family, another one of the famous 'Tribes'. All of the descendants of the tribal families are now gone from Galway. Near this spot, Richard de Burgo built his castle on the site of an Irish earthen fort, which had been built in its time to protect the river's mouth and the ford. Thus this tangle of narrow streets and lanes is the oldest part of Galway and the most evocative of its medieval past. It is well worth exploring.

At the corner is the old town-house of Richard Martin, known as 'Humanity Dick' because of his work on behalf of animal welfare. The nickname was bestowed by King George IV. Martin sat in parliament as representative of County Galway for many years. He was a founder-member of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1824.

Nearby is the entrance to Kirwan's Lane (13), which has been restored recently in order to capture the sense of a medieval street of old Galway. Here Richard Martin built Galway's first theatre in 1782 for his wife Elizabeth, who later deserted him. The quaint pub, the Slate House occupies the site, and the shell, of a 17th century nunnery belonging to the Dominican Order. The nuns lived here surreptitiously even after the Cromwellian capture of the city (1651), when Catholic clergy were officially banned.

Returing to Richard Martin's House, you can see ahead the facade of Mayoralty House (14), Galway's finest building from the 18th century. Turning left to ascend High Street, on your right is Kenny's Bookshop, one of Ireland's premier bookshops and the focus for much of Galway's literary life. Opposite on one of the shops, just above eye-level is a prime example of a marriage stone, showing two coats of arms, and a dedication. These are said to commemorate the marriage of the two people resident in the building. Galway has many fine examples - if fact, you may already have noticed some on your walk through the city.

Traveller, we have now come to the end of our walk. Now you can stroll through the city again. This time look for the finer details - particularly around windows and doors, pieces of the art of ancient Galway. Even in some of the pubs and cafes you can see the relics of yesterday.

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