Set in Stone!

The mystery of the historic marriage stone

For the tribes of Galway, marriage was quite literally set in stone, as seen here. During the recent renovation of the hotel bar, unearthed was this distinct stone carving of two crests celebrating the union of the dynastic Lynch and Browne families, an alliance between two of Galway's powerful 14 merchant families, who dominated the political, commercial and social landscape of the city up to the 17th century.

"Marriage Stones" are unique to Galway, during the medieval period when a couple married, an elaborate etching would be created with the year of the marriage and the couples initials. Many bore the family crest alongside Latin phrasing and artwork. Traditionally, this would be placed outside the home of the residing couple or above their fireplace.