Wylliam Martin

Wylliam Martin (fl. 1504-1547) was the 34th Mayor of Galway.

The Spanish Arch and the old town quays

Martin was a member of one of The Tribes of Galway, and had first served as a town bailiff for the term 1504-1505. He enjoyed two terms as Mayor, 1519–1520, and 1525-1526. He is noteworthy for introducing a statute concerning morality.

• It is ordered that if any man, free or unfree, be found by nighttime in any mans house to have copulation or to do with the good mans servant girl or the daughter of a merchant became pregnant, that the man responsible would have to marry or provide for her.

Martin was also responsible for the erection during his term of Ceann an Bhalla (the head of the wall). This was an extension of the town wall from Martin's Tower to the bank of the Corrib, as a measure to protect the town's quays, which were located in the area once known as the Fish Market. It is now known as the Spanish Arch.

He was the first Mayor of the Martyn family, who would ultimately produce nineteen Mayors and almost thirty Bailiffs and Sheriffs of Galway. His only known child was Thomas Óge Martyn.

References

• History of Galway, James Hardiman, Galway, 1820.
• Old Galway, Maureen Donovan O'Sullivan, 1942.
• The Tribes of Galway, Adrian James Martyn, Galway, 2001.
• Henry, William (2002). Role of Honour: The Mayors of Galway City 1485-2001. Galway: Galway City Council. OCLC 51023721 ASIN B003NECRYW

See also

• Peter Martin (STP)
• Francis Martin
• Harriet Letitia Martin
• Mary Letitia Martin
• Richard Martin (Irish politician)
• Rychard Martin
• Thomas Barnwall Martin
• Violet Florence Martin
• Adrian James Martyn
• Andrew H. Martyn
• Edward Martyn
• Mary Gabriel Martyn
• Oliver Óge Martyn
• Richard Óge Martyn
• Thomas Óge Martyn
• William Óge Martyn