Galway Bay

Galway Bay opens westward to the Atlantic between the coasts of Connemara and Clare. The Aran Islands lie across its mouth, sheltering the inner bay while leaving passages for ships to enter. At its eastern end the River Corrib reaches the sea beside Galway, whose merchants traded with France and Spain as well as other Irish ports. Fishing boats and merchant vessels shared the bay, and sailors bound for Galway had to navigate the islands and channels before reaching the harbour at the river mouth.