The Friar’s River is in actuality a canal and probably the first that was constructed in Galway. Older maps show what seem to be channels that were made by piling up stones in order to divert water through the first mills that were in operation in Galway. The River divides at the wooden foot bridge crossing over it. One channel flows under the Born building. The other flows to the right of the building and becomes the Middle River. The channel that flows under Born drove the first electricity generating turbine which was established by the Perry family later taken over by the ESB.
Click on the photos below from left to right to follow the course of the Friar’s River from north to south through the east side of the City.
