What is recorded here

Chair is an inauguration seat in Tuam, County Galway, born from the ancient name Tuam da ghuálainn and tied to a nearby tumulus and castle. Tradition says the elected member sat there after returning for Tuam, giving the town its identity through a visible act of entry. In 1980 the chair was reconstructed in cut limestone and set into a possible castle turret, turning a remembered word into a place where power could be seen, touched and witnessed.

In the centre of Tuam town (GA029-199----): its location and the traditions surrounding it are hopelessly intertwined with the sites of a 'tumulus' (GA029-203----) and a castle (GA029-173----). Named but not clearly indicated on 1st ed. of OS 6-inch map to E of Shop St. In discussing the significance of the 'ancient name of Tuam … Tuam da ghuálainn', the OS Letters (O'Flanagan 1927, Vol. 1, 31, 64) record that 'the spot … which tradition says, gave originally name to Tuam, is still pointed out in John Costelloe's garden … It is called the chair of Tuam, in which sat after his election, the member formerly returned by Tuam as a borough, to Parliament'. In 1980, it was reconstructed as a formal inauguration chair of cut limestone and set into a possible turret of the castle. However, it may originally have been just a symbolic term, possibly more closely associated with the 'tumulus' nearby. (Kelly 1904, 257; Ó Murchú 1907, 7) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. II - North Galway'. Compiled by Olive Alcock, Kathy de hÓra and Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). Date of upload: 05 August 2010

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.