Commemorative Galway G tile found in Athenry amid campaign to save iconic logo

The tile, manufactured by Snipe Industries, was spotted by Gary Vaughan of Galway Cider, who immediately thought of Woodquay publican Fergus McGinn, the man behind the 'Keep the Galway G' campaign.

Fergus has a personal connection to the symbol, which was designed by his father-in-law, Jimmy Conneely, for Galway's quincentennial celebrations in 1984.

"It showed up in the antique shop in Athenry shortly after Fergie had started the campaign," Gary explained.

For Gary, the timing of the discovery was particularly remarkable, given the controversy surrounding Galway City Council's decision to replace the familiar G.

Despite its age, the tile shows no signs of damage, and its gold leaf remains intact.

"The fact that it came about at the time of the Save the G campaign is uncanny," he said.

"We can presume it was made for the quincentennial, and the fact that it survived so well - there wasn't a scratch or dent, and all of the gold leaf was intact. Wherever it was stored, it was stored with care.

"It's perfect. It was in pristine condition."

Owner of Athenry Antiques, Dave McDermott, explained how the unusual piece came into his possession.

"I bought the tile over the shop counter off a local collector of Galway-related ephemera,” he said.

“It came with a Saw Doctors promotional newspaper and a Music for Galway programme signed by James Galway.

"Sometimes items turn up just when they are needed!"

The tile bears an inscription on the back identifying Snipe Industries as its manufacturer, an organisation associated with providing opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

"Snipe Industries seems to have been a wonderful pursuit attached to Ability West," Dave said.

And in another curious coincidence, a second piece of Galway G memorabilia recently found its way into his shop.

"Oddly, a pair of Royal Tara candlesticks walked in the door with the G on them this week,” he said.

“That's two in a month, and I had never seen either before."

For Fergus McGinn, the tile is a reminder of the many commemorative items produced to mark Galway's quincentennial celebrations, which commemorated the 500th anniversary of the granting of the city's charter in 1484.

"It is one of many pieces of memorabilia made by many businesses, including Fallers and O' Máilles, for the quincentennial celebrations," he said.

"Another man from Bowling Green contacted me recently and said there were glass pieces made at the same time. A lot of memorabilia was made."

The tile is now on display in McGinn's Hop House in Woodquay, a reminder of Jimmy Conneely's design.

Fergus also recalled that musician Karl Hession had composed a piece of music for the celebrations and had since contacted him to express his disappointment with the City Manager.

The discovery comes against the backdrop of the continuing controversy over Galway City Council's decision to replace the familiar G as part of a €28,000 rebranding project.

The local authority has unveiled a new visual identity centred on a lower-case maroon 'g', which draws on Galway's civic and maritime heritage, including the hull of the ship depicted in the city's Coat of Arms.

The new branding is being introduced gradually as existing materials and assets are renewed or replaced, while the Coat of Arms will remain in use for formal civic purposes.

However, Fergus remains firmly opposed to the decision and said people continue to approach him urging him to keep the campaign going.

He believes the opposition extends across the city's business community.

"People expect me to keep this campaign running," he said.

“No business person in the town is supporting it."

Dave McDermott also believes there should be greater public debate before changes are made to symbols that have become part of Galway's identity.

"There needs to be more debate on the removal or changing of symbols that represent our city,” he said.

“No one individual should be allowed to remove or amend something that means a lot to the town.

"These actions have a big impact on the city. We feel those losses now. We are an ancient people from an ancient land.

"It works in ways that marketing types wouldn't understand."

Gary Vaughan is equally critical of the decision to replace the familiar G.

"I can fairly, hand on heart, say I haven't met one single person who supports the rebranding," he said.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

Caption: L-R: Fergus McGinn McGinns Hop House and Gary Vaughan Galway Cider