Short history of Tuam

Tuam

Tuam is the second town of County Galway after Galway City. The town is about 32km or 20ml north of the city. Some people consider Tuam to be a city, considering that the presence of a Cathedral to make it so, but most people don't. The present town of Tuam dates back to the 6th century. According to legend, a monk called Jarleth, later Saint Jarleth, founded a monastery there, around which the town developed.

Founding of Tuam

Jarleth was a member of a religious community 4 miles west of Tuam, at Cloonfush, near the religious settlement at Kilbannon. When Jarleth decided to leave and found a monastery elsewhere, his abbot St. Benignus of Kilbannon, told him to settle wherever a wheel of his chariot broke. It broke at Tuam, and Jarleth did found his monastery there.

High King of Ireland

Hugh O'Connor became King of all Connacht when he defeated Amalgaid O'Flaherty, King of West Connacht, in 1049. After his victory he built a castle in Tuam and it became his principle stronghold. This led to Tuam becoming an important town at that time. A later O'Connor, Turlough Mor became High King of Ireland in the 12th century.

Last High King of Ireland

His son Rory, later became High King of Ireland also, and was to be the last holder of that office. Diarmait Mac Murchada, King of Leinster, was a particular enemy of Rory's and sought help outside Ireland to gain power for himself. The Norman help he brought effectively ended Ireland as a self-governing country, something that has not been fully restored yet. While High Kings of Ireland the O'Connors continued to be based in Tuam, which effectively made Tuam the capital of Ireland at that time.

The Church

Tuam's importance is greater in Church affairs than otherwise. Having 2 Cathedrals in the town gives it an ecclesiastical importance, it's size as a town hardly deserves. It has a population of about 7,500.

St. Mary's Cathedral

The oldest of the Cathedrals is St. Mary's. It was originally built when Turlough Mor O'Connor was in power around 1152. It was accidentally destroyed by fire in 1184. In the 14th century a second Cathedral was built to the east of the original one. Until the late 16th century St.Mary's was a Roman Catholic Cathedral. It became a Church of Ireland Cathedral at that time. In 1878 a third St. Mary's Cathedral was completed, replacing the second one. This is still in use today.

Cathedral of the Assumption

The second Cathedral is the Cathedral of the Assumption and is a Roman Catholic Cathedral. It was built between 1827 and 1836. It was built by Dr. Oliver Kelly, Archbishop of Tuam. It has been modified as recently as 1968 and 1991.

Associated Photographs

Tuam centre
View of Tuam
Tuam Cathedral
St. Mary's Cathedral