High Sheriff of Galway Town


The High Sheriff of Galway Town was the Sovereign's judicial representative in the county of the Town of Galway. Initially an office for lifetime, assigned by the Sovereign, the role of High Sheriff became annually appointed from the Provisions of Oxford in 1258. Besides the judicial importance of the role, it had ceremonial and administrative functions and executed High Court Writs.

History

The first Shrievalties were established before the Norman Conquest in 1066, dating back to Saxon times. In 1908, an Order in Council made the Lord-Lieutenant the Sovereign's prime representative in the counties of the United Kingdom and reduced the precedence of the High Sheriff's role. Despite that, the office-holder retained their responsibilities for the preservation of law and order in a county.
The first High Sheriff of the town of Galway was appointed in 1841 and the last one in 1899.

Victoria, 1841–1899