Structure in Townparks (galway By., St. Nicholas Par.)

A curve in the wall at the junction of Court Lane and St Anthony's Place was identified as the remains of a possible dovecote. There is no dovecote shown in this location on the mid-17th century Pictorial Map of Galway (TCD MS 1209.73) and the evidence is not sufficient to warrant accepting it as the remains of such. The construction of the curve at this corner appears to continue in a straight line along Court Lane rather than, as one would expect if it were a dovecote, to continue the line of the arc of such a structure. It is possible that the stonework might indicate the remants of a building or structure of some antiquity but this cannot be certain: it is clearly earlier than the remainder of the wall above. On the W face of the corner stone, immediately above the curve, the faint carving of a cross is visible, which is reminiscent of those enigmatic early-19th century carvings associated with J. or I. Healy found at various locations in the city. A fragment from a 15th-17th century window (GA094-120----) has been incorporated in the wall to the N . The attached image (GA094-119----_01.jpg) shows the remains of the wall with the position of the cross indicated by a red arrow. GA094-119----_02.jpg is a close-up of the stone showing the carving of the cross. Compiled by: Paul Walsh Date of upload: 18 July 2014