Tuam

Tuaim

Town

High Street, looking east

Coat of arms

Motto: "Tuath Thuama go Buan"
"Long Live the People of Tuam"

Tuam

Location in Ireland

Coordinates: 53°30′54″N 8°51′04″W / 53.515°N 8.851°WCoordinates: 53°30′54″N 8°51′04″W / 53.515°N 8.851°W

Country

Ireland

Tuam

Elevation

44 m (144 ft)

Population (2016)

• Urban

9,550

Eircode (Routing Key)

H54

Area code(s)

093 (+35393)

Irish Grid Reference

M436521

Tuam (/ˈtjuːəm/ TEW-əm), Irish: Tuaim ([t̪ˠuəmʲ]) is a town in Ireland and the second largest settlement in County Galway. It is situated west of the midlands of Ireland, approximately 35 km (22 mi) north of Galway city. Human existence in the area dates to the Bronze Age while the historic period dates from the 6th century. The town became increasingly important in the 11th and 12th centuries in political and religious aspects of Ireland. The market based layout of the town and square indicates the importance of commerce.

The record of human settlement in Tuam dates back to the Bronze Age when an area adjacent to Shop Street was used as a burial ground. The name Tuam is a cognate with the Latin term tumulus (burial mound). The town's ancient name was Tuaim Dá Ghualann, i.e. the burial mound of two shoulders.

The name probably refers to the high ground on either side of the River Nanny, overlooking a probable fording point over the River Nanny (or Corchra). In 1875, a Bronze Age burial urn was discovered in the area by workmen, dating from c.1500 B.C. An early glass photograph still exists.

The history of Tuam as a settlement dates from the early sixth century. Legend states that a monk called Iarlaithe mac Loga who was a member of a religious community at Cloonfush some 6 km (4 mi) west of Tuam and adjacent to the religious settlement at Kilbannon. Iarlaithe's life became uncertain as he wished to travel. Eventually, Iarlaithe's abbot, Benignus of Armagh told him to "Go, and where ever your chariot wheel breaks, there shall be the site of your new monastery and the place of your resurrection". Iarlaithe's wheel broke at Tuam and he established a monastery there, known as the School of Tuam. As was typical with early settlements in Ireland, religious sites became established first and towns grew around them. Likewise, Tuam grew up around the monastery and has kept the broken chariot wheel as its heraldic symbol.

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Wikipedia