Public talk on the collapse of old Tuam Bank

Building remains on Bishop Street

ON June 27, 1814, Lord ffrench’s Bank of Tuam and Dublin, unable to meet its obligations to pay the demands of three bank ‘runners’, closed its doors detaining the three runners inside. This caused considerable alarm, resulting in a ‘run’ on other private banks.

The crisis surrounding the collapse of the Tuam Bank is the subject of a free public lecture under the auspices of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society in the Harbour Hotel, Galway, on Monday, October 7 at 8 pm. The lecturer is Irene McGoldrick.

Despite the valiant efforts of Lord ffrench to avoid a Commission of Bankruptcy his tragic and untimely death sounded the death knell for the bank, which was found bankrupt by trial in January 1815. This talk will present the history of the bank, both prior to and subsequent to its failure. It will consider the factors which led to its demise and shed light on the personalities involved.

Irene McGoldrick is a recent MA History graduate of the University of Galway. Currently chair of the Annaghdown Heritage Society, she has been involved in local history and genealogical research for many years.