What follows are several old photographs of Browne’s Doorway, which is now located at the top of Eyre Square, and these photos are courtesy of Galway Library:
The first photograph is of the park in the middle of Eyre Square. There are trees and shrubs in the park, and walkways run through it. There are seats along these walkways, and women are sitting on them. Some of the green areas in the park are surrounded by fences, and at least one rubbish basket is attached to one of them. There are railings around the park. On the left is Browne’s Doorway, which serves as the entrance to the park. The doorway was originally the entrance to the Browne family home on Lower Abbeygate Street, but was moved, in 1905, to Eyre Square. There is a bay window over the door. There is a cannon in the foreground, captured during the Crimean War.
The second photograph is again of Eyre Square, but taken outside the park. There are numerous cars in the square, and in many cases, it is possible to read their number plates. There are a few vans, with the words “Garavan’s Galway” on one and “Corbett & Sons Ltd” on another. A crowd of people is standing behind another car; some of them are holding bicycles. There are railings around the green that is in the middle of the square, and the entrance to this green is the Browne Doorway. There is an electricity pole near the doorway, and the Railway Hotel can be seen on the far side of the square. Trees grow on the green, and a bicycle leans against the railings. Houses on the left-hand side of the square are visible. At the corner, there is a shop with the name “Thomas Walsh” over its door. There is an electricity pole in front of this shop on the other side of the street.
The third photograph is a clearer image of Browne’s Doorway in its heyday. There is a bay window over the door, and a column on either side of the front, with a plaque on the right. There are railings around the square, and the door serves as its entrance. There is a seat on each side of the door, and a streetlight to the right of the door. There is a woman walking past. There are trees growing in the square, and some of the buildings surrounding the square are visible on the left.
The fourth photograph is a similar one of the doorway leading to the park in the middle of Eyre Square. There are railings around the square, a plaque visible on the right of the door, and a seat on the left. There are two people sitting on the seat, one of whom is a man wearing a hat. There are five other men in the photograph, and one woman. There are trees in the park, and the statue of Padraic O’Conaire is just beyond the railings. The Railway Hotel can be seen in the background.
The fifth photograph is again from a similar position. There is a seat on either side of the entrance, and a woman is seen sitting on the seat on the left. There is a bus stop near this seat, and two men are sitting on the seat to the right. A third man is talking to them while a fourth man is walking past. All four are wearing caps. There is an electricity pole near this seat. There are trees and shrubs growing in the square. The statue of Padraic O’Conaire is just about visible in the square, and the Railway Hotel can be seen in the background. On the extreme right of the picture, there is a board with white writing. The first word on the board is ‘Coras’. Coras is an Irish word meaning company. The next line reads, “Day Tours”. The company mentioned in the first line may be Coras Iompar Eireann, which means Transportation Company of Ireland. This was a state-owned company with responsibility for public transport.
A sixth photograph of Browne’s Doorway is more recent, as the railing surrounding the square has now been removed. There are two men standing a short distance behind the door, and the Railway Hotel can be seen further on. There are trees and at least one seat in the square. Some of the buildings that surround the square can be seen. There is a public house on the left with the name “O’Connell” over its door.
The final three photographs were taken at the end of May 2026. By this time, a clear perspex barrier has been built around the lower part of the doorway, and a commemorative podium has been erected at the front of the doorway. On the side of the perspex barrier, a number of old photographs and further information on Browne’s Doorway are displayed.