The King of Claddagh

When Cromwell's soldiers drummed and swaggered their way through Galway in 1651 they forgot for a while about the strange, remote people who dwelt on the west bank of the Corrib, fishing, plying up and down the river, speaking a different language and governed by their own freely-chosen King: the people of Claddagh 'an aristocracy in hovel's as Major Charleton described them.

But the Claddagh too felt the weight of enemy occupation when the Major was sent there by the military governor to take hostages. How Major Charleton, a stern Parliamentarian, came to know and respect the people and their King, and to defend them against the excesses of bigotry and oppression; his association with a mysterious Claddagh boatman; his involvement with the dignified and beautiful Gertrude, daughter of a wealthy Galway merchant, are all part of a vivid adventure story in which the River Corrib plays a vital role. Every bend and twist, every creek and channel, every rock and shallow of the river made all the difference between escape and deportation, between life and death.

This unusual story, based on the authentic history of the period between Galway's surrender to the ferocious Coote and the Restoration of Charles II, will have a general appeal to young and old; and especially to anyone who knows the Galway coast. Thomas Fitzpatrick was a native of Co. Down. As a teacher he worked in Blackrock College, Dublin, St Malachy's College, Belfast and also in Athenry and Galway Schools. He was the author of several books including The Bloody Bridge. He died in Dublin in 1912 and is buried in Ball Ward, Co.Down.