The Browne Doorway

Freestanding former entrance bay to Browne house of 1627, removed from original location in 1905 to form feature in Eyre Square. Structure comprises rendered wall incorporating limestone doorway and oriel window. Doorway has round-arch door opening in slightly recessed square-headed inset, with moulded imposts flanked by engaged Tuscan columns with Ionic capitals on tall pedestals, latter with moulded diamond-shaped panels, having moulded blocks above capitals and supporting pulvinated frieze and moulded cornice. below frieze is architrave and below this is quotation from Psalms 127:1, 'Nisi Dominus aedificaverit domum, in vanum laboraverunt, qui aedificant eam' (If the Lord does not build a house, then those who build it work in vain). Canted five-light oriel window has chamfered mullions and transom, apron between window and doorway having carved coats of arms of Martin Browne and Marie Lynch, with engraved date and low relief carved dragons to sides. Engraved render plaque to rear of wall. Monument located at northern end of Eyre Square, set into paved area.

As is pointed out by its plaque, this monument is 'a reminder of the great architecture in the days of Galway's civic opulence' between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. The Renaissance doorway is one of two surviving in the city and displays fine carved detailing. The coats of arms of the two families united by marriage is a typical device found in medieval and late medieval contexts and the relocation of the structure to Eyre Square in 1905 has salvaged something of the building while significantly enhancing Galway's finest civic space. The biblical quote adds interest and context to the doorway.