Clay pipes were being made in Galway from 1700 onwards. Some of these pipes bear the manufacturer’s marks such as ‘Hynes’ on Prospect Hill and ‘O’ Gorman’s’ on Eyre St. this particular pipe is stamped with ‘O’Gorman’. Pipes were a part of everyday life and commonly used at wakes, where they were passed around to all the mourners. Traditionally, before smoking, the tip of the pipe was dipped into Guinness or Whiskey, which imparted a flavour to the clay for the smoker.
