The Garda Síochána Galway / Gaillimh 1922- 2022 exhibition commemorates 100 years of An Garda Síochána serving the people of County Galway. This brand new exhibition is currently on display in Galway City Museum.
“The Garda Síochána will succeed not by force of arms or numbers, but on their moral authority as servants of the people.” – Michael Staines, Garda Commissioner, 1922
This exhibition gives an insight into the founding of An Garda Síochána and how An Garda Síochána developed its own style of policing in Ireland since the foundation of the state. With a particular focus on County Galway and its Gaeltacht, the exhibition highlights how An Garda Síochána has contributed to building a safe and peaceful society, and how members of An Garda Síochána forge strong relationships with the local communities in which they work and live.
It shows the changing roles and evolving codes of conduct of An Garda Síochána over the past 100 years, which do not only manifest themselves in the training and behaviour of the members of the force but also in their gender and cultural backgrounds, their uniforms and their equipment.
Furthermore, the exhibition pays tribute to members of An Garda Síochána who made outstanding efforts to keep their communities safe, some of them losing their life in doing so. Their bravery is remembered in a Roll of Honour and through the awarding of Scott medals.
Project Development Team were Superintendent Damien Flanagan, An Garda Síochána; & Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer, Galway County Council; Dr Conor McNamara, Historian in Residence, Galway County Council; Eithne Verling, Director, Galway City Museum; Damien Donnellan, Exhibitions and Education, Galway City Museum, Eoin O’Neill, Collections, Galway City Museum, James Reynolds, Conservation, Galway City Museum.
The exhibition was funded by Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Decade of Centenaries Local Authority Funding), An Garda Síochána, Galway County Council & Galway City Council.
The exhibition can be seen at Galway City Museum for the month of June from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. It is also available online HERE. In addition to this the exhibition will travel around the city and county over the coming year.
Images: A selection from the exhibition, An Garda Síochána Galway / Gaillimh 1922- 2022
For more information on this exhibition contact Marie Mannion, Oifigeach Oidhreachta |Heritage Officer; Pleanáil Chun Cinn |Forward Planning; Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe |Galway County Council at mmmanion@galwaycoco.ie
