Warning that Browne Doorway is 'melting' as new heritage trails launch
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THE historic Browne Doorway in Eyre Square is “melting in front of us”, according to tour guide Brian Nolan of Galway Walks, and he is calling for the structure to be moved to a museum immediately.
The early 17th-century limestone doorway was salvaged and relocated to Eyre Square in 1905, but Brian believes it is now both out of context, and under threat.
“It is out of context and out of place,” he says.
“It is melting in front of us. The acid rain is melting its beautiful features and it should be in a museum. It was important there once, when Eyre Square was a park surrounded by railings, and it was the entrance to it. However, it is less important now.”
His comments come as Galway City Council launches two new self-guided ‘Wonder Wander’ trails in Eyre Square and the city centre, developed in partnership with the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH).
The Eyre Square trail includes the Browne Doorway alongside sites such as the Bank of Ireland building, Fibber Magees and Ceannt Station, while the city centre trail takes in locations such as Blake’s Castle, the Spanish Arch, the Lynch Memorial Window and the Mayoralty House.
The free maps, which include an architectural scavenger hunt and background information on each location, are available online and at locations across the city. As a working tour guide, Brian welcomes the initiative and does not see it as a threat to guided tours.
“I welcome anything that gets people out walking and exploring their own environment,” he says.
“It’s nice to pick up on a bit of information if you have an hour or two and it will open up a lot of the city that is not covered by walking tours. It takes a skilled guide to keep peoples’ interest.”
I bring the whole history to life. That is the job of a tour guide.
The distinction between information and storytelling is echoed by Town Crier Liam Silke, who views the trails as a complement rather than a competitor. The founder of Walking Tours Galway, Liam says the trails will create “a curiosity” among visitors.
“I have a story for every one of those views,” he explains. “This walking tour is exactly what we want, because with today's world, we want self-help. I bring the whole history to life. That is the job of a tour guide. That is why we, and this trail, work well together. It's simple. And that is good. This will be great for schools.”
It is melting in front of us. The acid rain is melting its beautiful features and it should be in a museum.
Independent councillor Donal Lyons also believes the initiative will enhance, rather than replace, guided tours.
“I think it's a great opportunity to promote the city,” he says. “It’s a fantastic initiative that gives visitors a clear guide to places of interest.”
He suggests the trails may even provide a useful factual baseline and an “insight to the professional person doing the trails,” but also for the solo traveller, “who wants to come and just visit on their own”.
At the launch in St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, Galway City Chief Executive Leonard Cleary emphasised the importance of protecting the heritage the trails showcase.
“Once it's gone, it's gone,” he said. “Galway’s built heritage is one of the city's greatest strengths, giving it a distinct sense of character and place. Protecting and celebrating built heritage is not only about conservation, but about keeping that history visible and meaningful in everyday life.”
Architectural Conservation Officer Michael Scott said he hopes that the guide will lead to the proper protection and enhancement of the city’s built heritage.
“Galway has such an amazing built heritage, but sometimes you become a little bit blind to what's around you,” he said.
“The maps only capture a small part of that built heritage. It's a taster introduction for people to explore the city. And hopefully we'll raise more awareness. People will see the value in it and it'll lead to the proper protection and enhancement of our built heritage going forward.”
The trails themselves were shaped by public input, according to Gavin Campbell, director and architect with Studio Myco.
“We were involved at every stage,” he said.
“We got loads of stories and suggestions from the community engagement events last summer. We took all of that and tried to develop points of interest. There was a lot of refining and tweaking of the final graphics and trail maps right up to the launch event.”
John Beatty of the National Built Heritage Service says the initiative is designed to help both locals and tourists see familiar places differently.
“Galway is a huge tourist destination,” he says. “But these trail maps are for locals as well as tourists. We're trying to encourage people to really consider forgotten histories or to look at places with new eyes - to pick out little features and buildings that maybe you wouldn't notice. It really re-energises people into looking at the city with fresh eyes.”
Labour councillor Niall McNeilis also says that tour guides should be behind the initiative as it is an important way to “show off the city” to tourists and residents.
While supportive of the ‘Wonder Wander’ trails, Brian Nolan remains concerned about how some aspects of Galway’s heritage are being presented and preserved. He points to the condition of the blue plaques installed at sites across the city as part of the Galway Heritage Walking Trail.
“The white paint is falling off and many will have to be redone,” he says. “Some focus on a single incident and leave the walker with very little context. They are not weathering well. Galway weather can test anything that is out there.”